Bitter loss for Reggae Girlz at CAC Games

JAMAICA’S SENIOR women’s football team lost 2-1 to Venezuela in their opening group stage encounter yesterday at the Central American and Caribbean Games, after missing two penalties in the late stages of the match.

The Reggae Girlz took the lead in the 12th minute through a goal from Khadija Shaw, but the Central American side found the equaliser right after the break through a goal from forward Ysaura Viso. The Venezuelans went ahead through a 83rdminute strike from substitute Deyna Castellano,s but the Jamaicans missed two opportunities from the spot to salvage a positive result.

The team will take on Costa Rico in their next game tomorrow at 4 p.m.

Diver Yona Knight-Wisdom barely missed out on qualification to the men’s 1 metre springboard final, after placing ninth in the event with a score 329.85 points. KnightWisdom’s best dive came in the third round, where he scored 63 points. He will now turn his attention to the 3m springboard, his pet event, tomorrow at 2 p.m.

Meanwhile, the women’s basketball team is looking to face their toughest competitor in the group stage when they take on Cuba today.

Team manager Daisy Pedley believes that the team should fare well against our neighbours, despite the challenge posed.

PLAYING STRENGTHS

“Cuba is a very strong team, but we have a fairly strong team. We are going to play to our strengths because Cuba play a very fast game, but as long as we play our game, we should do well,” Pedley said.

The team will take on hosts Colombia tomorrow before playing the Virgin Islands in their final group encounter on Sunday.

“We should come out of the group in the top group. Virgin Islands is a very good team, but we should get the better of them. Colombia has come a long way, but again, we should do better,” Pedley said.

The hockey team will also be in action today against Barbados at 4 p.m., Guatemala and Trinidad and Tobago are also drawn in Pool B.

In squash, Bruce Burrowes will take on Rhett Cumberbatch of Barbados in men’s singles Round of 32 action at 9:15 a.m.

Chris Binnie will also be in action as he takes on Colombia’s Miguel Rodriguez at 5:30 p.m. today.

FILE Jamaica’s Khadija Shaw (left) makes a tackle on Trinidad and Tobago’s MacKenzie Marsh in the Caribbean Football Union Women’s Under -20 final at the Anthony Spauldings Sports Complex in 2013. Shaw scored in Jamaica’s 2-1 loss to Venezuela at the CAC Games in Colombia yesterday.