Jamaica and Costa Rica sent emphatic messages in their opening matches of the 2025 CONCACAF Women’s U-17 Qualifiers on Thursday, cruising to dominant victories that showcased their attacking prowess and defensive resilience.
At the National Stadium in Managua, Nicaragua, the young Reggae Girlz delivered a scintillating performance, dismantling Saint Kitts and Nevis in a ruthless 6-0 rout.
Kiana Wilson wasted no time stamping her authority on the match, breaking the deadlock in the fourth minute with a clinical right-footed strike. The relentless Jamaican offense continued to press, and in the 33rd minute, Brianna Turner doubled the advantage, ensuring her side entered halftime with a comfortable cushion.
The second half saw a relentless wave of Jamaican attacks. Ella Provost-Heron etched her name on the scoresheet in the 47th minute, curling a precise left-footed shot from the edge of the area. Wilson, already a force to be reckoned with, struck again in the 58th minute before completing her hat-trick just four minutes later in the 62nd.
As the final whistle approached, Shauntai Pryce sealed the victory in the 73rd minute, cementing Jamaica’s position atop the group on goal difference. With this emphatic triumph, the Reggae Girlz set their sights on a decisive encounter against hosts Nicaragua on Saturday, where a win would guarantee a coveted spot in the Final Round.
Las Ticas showcase clinical finishing in Santo Domingo
Over in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica produced an equally dazzling performance, steamrolling past Grenada with a 7-0 thrashing at Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez.
Las Ticas wasted no time asserting their dominance, opening the scoring in the sixth minute with a precise right-footed strike from Lucia Paniagua. Tiara Ruiz followed up with a powerful header in the 11th minute, converting a well-delivered free kick to double the lead.
The relentless attack continued as Daniela Ocampo found the net in the 13th minute with a composed left-footed finish inside the box. Alisha Lindo capitalized on a defensive mishap in the 23rd minute, slotting home Costa Rica’s fourth goal.
Emma Azofeifa added to the spectacle with a jaw-dropping long-range strike in the 31st minute, stretching the lead to 5-0. Moments later, Isska Chaverrí stunned the opposition with a remarkable 40-yard free kick in the 38th minute. Paniagua, refusing to be outshone, completed her brace in the 40th minute to round off a flawless display.
With this commanding victory, Costa Rica braces for a high-stakes showdown against the Dominican Republic on Saturday. The clash will determine who tops the group and secures a direct path to the Final Round.
