Brown shines as Girlz hammer Cuba
JAMAICA’S REGGAE Girlz turned in a dominating performance to slam neighbours Cuba 9-0 in their final group game at the CONCACAF Women’s Championships to set up a semi-final spot and two chances to qualify for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Coming into the game on the back of an important 1-0 win over Costa Rica, who were scheduled to play group leaders and world number-five-ranked Canada in the late game, the Jamaicans needed to score – and score often – to ensure that they removed Costa Rica’s goaldifference advantage ahead their contest. The Costa Ricans beat Cuba 8-0 in the opening round and needed to beat Canada by two clear goals to leap-frog the Jamaicans into second place.
WASTED OPPORTUNITIES
Khadija Shaw got the goal fest going for the Jamaicans with a freekick, which she floated over the wall and into the top righthand corner of Katherine Montesino’s goal in the second minute of play. The Jamaicans wasted several opportunities before finally doubling their advantage through 16-year-old Jody Brown, who got the first of her three goals in the 26th minute when her near-post finish got by Montesino after a neat build-up play between Shaw and Chinyelu Asher.
Christina Chang’s fierce effort from distance was tipped on the crossbar, but Montesino could do nothing to stop Sashana Campbell from converting a close-range effort in the 30th minute after Shaw’s precise pass from the left side of the penalty area.
Brown again got on the scoresheet eight minutes later with a cool finish after being played through by a no-look pass from Asher to close out a strong half by the Jamaicans.
The Reggae Girlz started the second half in similar fashion, as Deneisha Blackwood stepped up to score from the penalty spot, following a foul on Shaw in the 50th minute. Chang made it 6-0 in the 64th minute before Brown completed her hat-trick in minute 72, with an easy tap-in, following some good work by Jadyn Matthews down the right flank.
Campbell and Shaw hooked up for a repeat of the third goal, while Marlo Sweatman wrapped up the scoring with a neat volley in the 82nd minute.
Speaking after the game, Brown said that she was pleased to get her first international hattrick at this level, especially given the need for goals in this game.
“It’s a great feeling coming out here and getting these goals,” said Brown. “It was a great feeling. We knew we had to get as many goals as we can to get through.”