Jamaica edge Panama 1-0 for first World Cup win

Jamaica scored their first-ever victory at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Tournament when they edged Caribbean neighbours Panama 1-0 in their Group F encounter at the NIB Stadium in Perth on Saturday morning.

Captain of the day Allyson Swaby scored the all-important goal on 56 minutes with a glancing header from a Trudi Carter corner kick. Swaby, one of two sisters playing in central defence for Jamaica, wore the armband in the absence of regular captain Khadija Shaw, who was suspended from this game after receiving two yellow card cautions in the opening game against France last week.

The result left Jamaica joint top of Group F on four points with France, who had edged Brazil 2-1 earlier in the day in a feisty contest.

Brazil are next on three points with Panama, on debut, eliminated at the bottom of the four-team table without a point.

Jamaica will face Brazil next Wednesday at the same time France opposes Panama. Jamaica needs to avoid defeat to Brazil to take their fairytale run into the round of 16.

A defeat to Brazil coupled with a positive result for France over Panama would end Jamaica’s run at their second-consecutive Women’s World Cup tournament.