The pursuit of a coveted spot in The CONCACAF W Gold Cup takes center stage in League A as Jamaica faces Panama in a pivotal Group B clash inside Kingston’s National Stadium on Wednesday at 7:00 pm.
For Panama, the mission is straightforward: secure all three points and clinch the group’s top position, granting them passage to the 2024 W Gold Cup group stage. However, a victory for Jamaica would open up the possibility for all three teams in the group, including Guatemala, to contend for the top spot when the final matchday unfolds on Sunday, featuring Guatemala against Jamaica in Guatemala City.
Panama will rely on their core group of playmakers to accomplish their objective. Riley Tanner has been prolific, tallying two goals from nine shots in Panama’s initial three matches, while Marta Cox has contributed with a goal and an assist.
Lineth Cedeno notably delivered a crucial late-winning goal in Panama’s 2-1 triumph over Jamaica in their previous encounter during the October window.
Then Jamaica led through Ricshya Walker after 21 minutes but an own goal by Jamaican defender Alika Keene and a very late strike from Lineth Cedeno resulted in a 2-1 come-from-behind victory for Panama.
Bottom of the three-team points table
They lead the group on six points, following two wins and a loss in three games, followed by Guatemala with four points comprising a win and a 2-2 draw with Jamaica in their last encounter, also in October. Jamaica sits at the bottom of the three-team points table with a solitary point from a loss and a draw.
Jamaica, on the other hand, will field a squad that boasts the three players who found the back of the net during the October window: Walker, Melissa Johnson, and Zoe Vidaurre. Mikayla Dayes leads the team in shot attempts with four and provided the assist for Walker’s goal against Panama.
Goalkeeper Aliyah Morgan demonstrated her prowess with two saves and two clearances in the first meeting with Panama.
The Jamaican Reggae Girlz are still without the seasoned, experienced squad which led them to the Round of 16 at last summer FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, as they have yet to resolve their conflict with the local governing body, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF).
When the ladies declined the invite last month, it was thought by many that the differences would have been ironed out by now and the nation’s strongest team would be able to take to the field in an effort to qualify for the W Gold Cup, that’s clearly not the case.
Appeal to Jamaicans to support the ladies
Nonetheless, interim head coach Xavier Gilbert wants fans to pour into the National Stadium and lend support to his charges.
“It is important, and we hope that the fans will come out and cheer on the ladies to ensure that extra help, assistance, and motivation will be there. I’m just appealing to Jamaica to come out and support the ladies. They really need the support and hopefully, we can put on a good show.”
Gilbert’s team has looked better with each game and Wednesday’s encounter should provide another opportunity for them to display further progress.
“The approach is to be positive but to be smart in terms of how we approach it as well, because you don’t want to be too positive then mishap happens and then you’re behind. We’re going to see if we can get something from the game. It’s certainly not going to be easy, but nevertheless, I’m optimistic about our chances and what we can do.”
High stakes and intense competition
The upcoming match promises high stakes and intense competition as both teams seek to secure their respective positions in the race for The W Gold Cup. Jamaica aims to disrupt Panama’s quest, while Panma looks to seal its place in the prestigious tournament.
The outcome of this clash will undoubtedly have significant implications for the group standings and the journey to The W Gold Cup.
The current squad comprises both experienced and emerging players, including 2019 World Cup participants Sashana Campbell, Chinyelu Asher, and Marlo Sweatman. The selection also includes Lauren Reid, Malikae Dayes, Zoe Vidaurre, Israela Groves, Ricshya Walker, Davia Richards, Mikayla Dayes, Shaneil Buckley, Melissa Johnson, Aliyah Morgan, Theanna Burnett, Serena Mensa, Shanice Foster, Destiny Powell, Njeri Butts, Shania Harris, Sydnie Street, Javanae Jones, Lachante Paul, and Maliah Atkins.
