Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz registered their first win in over a year with a comfortable 3-0 beating of South Africa's Banyana Banyana in the first of two international friendlies at the Montego Bay Sports Complex on Friday.
Talismanic captain Khadija "Bunny" Shaw led her team with a brace in the 55th and 83rd minutes, while Siobhan Wilson, making a triumphant return from a lengthy injury layoff, marked her comeback with a stunning opener in the 43rd minute.
While it wasn't the most polished performance, the win was a special homecoming for the core players of the World Cup group, who last played in Jamaica in September 2023. It was also their first win since they defeated Panama in the group stages at last year’s World Cup.
The game began with both teams struggling to find rhythm. The first real chance for Jamaica came in the eighth minute when Deneisha Blackwood delivered a perfectly weighted cross into the box, but Atlanta Primus arrived late and couldn’t connect on an attempted header.
South Africa, though lively in patches, struggled to create clear-cut chances. In fact, they saw very little possession throughout as the Girlz controlled the tempo of the game and went close in the 28th, but Shaw’s effort was deflected out.
The resulting corner provided the breakthrough for the Reggae Girlz in spectacular fashion as Wilson, brimming with determination, delivered a sensational goal straight from a corner flag. The ball curled wickedly past a bewildered Andile Dlamini in the South African goal, igniting the home crowd.
They should have doubled their lead moments later when Jade Bailey's perfectly lofted ball sent Shaw one-on-one with Dlamini. The Manchester City striker rounded the goalkeeper but was left frustrated as her effort clattered off the upright.
With the score unchanged at the break, the Girlz gradually upped the tempo on the resumption and almost pushed further ahead two minutes in when Shaw laid off a back heel for Primus, who was let down by her first touch and allowed Dlamini to collect.
South Africa tried to play their game and had their best opportunity at goal in the 53rd minute when Linda Motlhalo's shot from the top of the 18-yard box was parried by 19-year-old Liya Brooks, making her senior debut in goal for Jamaica.
The Girlz regained control of the game and inevitably doubled the lead when Shaw, always a threat, combined brilliantly with Jody Brown in the 55th minute. Brown broke down the right and squared the ball to Shaw, who slotted home from close range.
Despite the comfortable scoreline, Jamaica occasionally lacked sharpness in the final third, as Shaw had a chance to seal her hat-trick in the 57th minute but fired the right-footed effort over the bar.
However, Shaw made amends in the latter stages of the game when Konya Plummer’s incisive through ball found her on the break. The towering striker turned her marker and buried a composed left-footed finish to put the game beyond doubt seven minutes from time.
Sherdon Cowan is a five-time award-winning journalist with 10 years' experience covering sports.
Jamaica Classic Schools Gymnastics Championships set to showcase rising talent
Following the successful staging of the Carifta Gymnastics Championships, the Jamaica Gymnastics Federation (JGF) is set to launch the highly anticipated Jamaica Classic Schools Championships tomorrow. The event will feature over 470 gymnasts from 40 schools across the island, a significant increase from last year’s participation of approximately 250 athletes.
The championships, scheduled for December 7-11, 2024, will take place at the National Training Center on 1 Slipe Road in Kingston, running daily from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The competition promises to highlight the exceptional talent and dedication of Jamaica’s young gymnasts.
This year’s event will also serve as a platform to select the best performers for an all-star school team, set to compete internationally in 2025 in Trinidad, the Dominican Republic, Bermuda, and Barbados.
The competition will include routines on the bars, vault, and floor, giving athletes the chance to demonstrate their strength, skill, and artistry.
"We are incredibly proud of the growth of this event and the increasing number of participants," said Nicole Grant, President of the Jamaica Gymnastics Federation. "The dedication of the athletes, coaches, and schools is truly inspiring, and we look forward to witnessing the remarkable performances that will unfold during the championships."
Grant also emphasized the role of the event in elevating the sport locally and internationally. "This competition is about more than winning medals; it’s about fostering a love for gymnastics, building confidence, and inspiring the next generation of Jamaican athletes. With the support of families, schools, and communities, we are confident that Jamaica’s gymnasts will continue to shine on the regional and international stage."
Fans and supporters are encouraged to attend the championships and cheer on the gymnasts as they compete for top honours and the chance to represent Jamaica on the international stage.
Inter 3-1 Parma: Mkhitaryan stars as hosts extend unbeaten run
Inter moved to within a point of Serie A leaders Napoli after easing to a 3-1 win over Parma at the San Siro, extending their unbeaten run to 13 matches in all competitions.
Simone Inzaghi's side moved up to 31 points after 14 games of their season, but Napoli could restore their four-point cushion over Inter with victory over Lazio on Sunday.
Inter were awarded a penalty with eight minutes on the clock after Mandela Keita clipped the heels of Lautaro Martinez, but after a VAR review, it was changed to a free-kick.
But the hosts found themselves in front five minutes before the break when Federico Dimarco sensationally took the ball on his back foot before firing past Zion Suzuki.
Inter doubled their advantage in the 53rd minute through Nicolo Barella, who picked up Henrikh Mkhitaryan's through ball before sitting down Emanuele Valeri, staying composed to roll the ball confidently home.
The victory was sealed just after the hour-mark when Yann Bisseck flicked Hakan Calhanoglu's corner to Thuram, who volleyed home his 10th league goal of the season.
Parma did, however, net a late consolation when Matteo Darmian tussled with Dennis Man following Hernani's ball forward, only for the former Manchester United defender to inadvertently bundle the ball beyond Yann Sommer.
Data Debrief: Mkhitaryan masterclass
Inter have now scored at least three goals in a Serie A match for the seventh time this season, with only Paris Saint-Germain (nine), Bayern Munich and Barcelona (both eight) scoring three or more goals more often than the Nerazzurri.
But their victory was inspired by the brilliance of Mkhitaryan, with the Armenian notching the assists for Dimarco and Barella on Friday.
Since his arrival at Inter in 2022, only Charles De Ketelaere and Luis Alberto (both 14) have registered more assists than Mkhitaryan (12), while he also created more chances (four) than any other player on the pitch during the game.
Michel urges Girona to rise to the occasion against out-of-form Madrid
Girona boss Michel has urged his players to prove themselves against "one of the best teams in the world" when they face Real Madrid in LaLiga on Saturday.
Michel's side, who finished third in the Spanish top-flight last season, have failed to replicate that form, currently occupying eighth place after 15 games of their campaign.
Girona come into the clash with Carlo Ancelotti's side on the back of a shock defeat to fourth-tier side Logrones in the Copa del Rey in midweek.
They have also failed to win any of their last three games in all competitions, scoring just two goals, which both came in a 2-2 draw with Villarreal in their last league match.
Though Girona have not lost any of their last four games in LaLiga (W3 D1), which is their longest unbeaten run in the competition this season, Michel highlighted his side's attack as an issue so far this term.
"We are a better team in defence than last year. However, we need to improve in attack, to finish plays," Michel told reporters.
"When you go down you have to get up as soon as possible and that day is tomorrow."
But Madrid have been in a slump of their own, losing four of their last seven games across all competitions, including a midweek defeat to Athletic Bilbao that saw their longest unbeaten run away from home in LaLiga come to an end (W13 D8).
Despite their recent form, Michel was under no illusions about the task at hand for his players, insisting his side must play a "perfect" game to get a result on Saturday.
"Tomorrow I expect what it is, the Champions League and LaLiga winners. A great team with great players," he added.
"We are playing against one of the best teams in the world, and we have to play a perfect game.
"There is no need to motivate the players for a game against Real Madrid."
And looking at recent meetings between the two sides, the odds are stacked against Michel's side.
Madrid have won their last two meetings with Girona in LaLiga, keeping clean sheets in both, and can make it three wins in a row against the Catalan side for the first time in the top-flight.
Michel has also struggled against Los Blancos in LaLiga. He has lost two of his four league meetings with Carlo Ancelotti (W1 D1).
Only against Diego Simeone (W1 L4) has he suffered more defeats as Girona boss in the competition (also two against Imanol Alguacil, Manuel Pellegrini and Quique Setien).
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