Interim head coach Xavier Gilbert expressed his satisfaction with the performance of his Reggae Girlz, despite settling for a 2-2 draw against Guatemala in the CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup Qualifiers. The match took place at Kingston’s National Stadium and marked Jamaica’s first point in two games in Group B.
In the current standings, Panama leads the three-team group with six points from three games, while Guatemala has accumulated four points from three games. The group winner secures a direct berth to the Gold Cup, while the second-place team enters a play-off featuring matchups between the three three-team League A and the winners of the three four-team groups from League B. These play-off victors also secure additional spots in the Women’s Gold Cup.
The next crucial matches for Jamaica are scheduled for November 29, when they host Panama, and December 3, when they visit Guatemala.
Gilbert stated during the post-game press conference, “The plan was to get something out of the game, which we did. Unfortunately, we didn’t walk away with all three points, but [I’m] still happy and proud of the way the girls performed tonight. We created some opportunities and should have been a little bit more composed in front of goal, but such is the nature of the game. Happy with at least coming away with a point.”
Aggressive and attacking approach
Guatemala displayed an aggressive and attacking approach from the start. They missed a golden chance to open the scoring when Savianna Gomez’s left-footed shot went wide after she broke through the Jamaican defense in the first quarter-hour.
Jamaican defense failed to learn from this scare, and their attempt to dribble out of defense led to a counter-attack, resulting in a corner. In the 28th minute, Leslie Ramirez lobbed Jamaica’s diminutive goalkeeper Aliyah Morgan, giving Guatemala the lead.
However, four minutes later, Jamaica equalized when Melissa Johnson capitalized on a long pass to poke the ball past Guatemala’s goalkeeper, Alexia Estrada.
Seven minutes into the second half, Jamaica took the lead when Zoe Vidaurre scored left-footed from a scramble inside the penalty area.
Brilliant Anna Martinez
Guatemala managed to level the score three minutes later, thanks to a brilliant effort from captain Ana Martinez, who set up Aisha Salozano for the goal.
Despite creating several chances to regain the lead and secure all three points, Jamaica was unable to capitalize, with Alika Keene even striking the upright in the 70th minute.
At the end of the match, Gilbert commended the players for their dedication in challenging circumstances, saying, “I must give credit to all of these ladies who answered the call and came out and represented themselves well, and represented Jamaica well. Difficult time, difficult circumstances assembling days and hours before games, and they gave it their all. I’m very proud and happy with the way they executed.”
Experienced player Marlo Sweatman, a member of the 2019 Reggae Girlz squad at the France World Cup, played a pivotal role in most of the team’s attacking plays. She was entrusted with the captain’s armband when Chinyelu Asher left the field in the 77th minute. Sweatman expressed her joy at the honor and her commitment to representing Jamaica, saying, “It’s always an honor to be home and playing for Jamaica, and it’s even more amazing to end the game as the captain. I’m very happy to be back, and I enjoyed my time. Definitely not difficult at all. I think that as a professional, any time my name is called to play for the Jamaica national team, I am more than happy to represent. I love my country, and it wasn’t a difficult decision at all.”
The match’s line-up
Jamaica – Aliyah Morgan, Malikae Dayes, Lauren Reid, Chinyelu Asher (Natoya Atkinson 77th), Marlo Sweatman, Melissa Johnson, Ricshya Walker (Shanise Foster 57th), Mikayla Dayes (Christine Salmon 77th), Alika Keene, Zoe Vidaurre, Davia Richards
Guatemala – Alexia Estrada, Michelle Ruano, Leslie Ramirez (Karen Gonzalez 46th), Elisa Taxaj, Savianna Gomez, Aisha Solozano, Madelyn Ventura (Yareni Rosales 71st), Jemery Myvett, Sandra Ovando, Vivian Montenegro, Ana Martinez
- Referee: Diana Perez (Mexico)
- First assistant referee: Jessica Morales (Mexico)
- Second assistant referee: Carolyn Briones (Mexico)
- Fourth Official: Priscila Perez (Mexico)
- Referee assessor: Mauricio Navarro (Canada)
- Match commissioner: Shequila Parson (Bermuda)
