Busby proud of young Reggae Girlz
DESPITE LOSING to hosts Dominican Republic in the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Under20 Women’s Championship yesterday, adviser Hubert Busby said he was proud of the performances of Jamaica’s young Reggae Girlz throughout the tournament.
Jamaica lost 2-1 at the Estadio Panamericano in San Cristóbal, Dominica Republic, ending their dreams of qualifying for the FIFA Women’s Under-20 World Cup.
“It was not the result we wanted, but we are very proud of the players. From the start of the tournament, they have showed their character, and up until the 90th minute of today’s (Dominica Republic) game, we were still fighting and showing the Jamaican spirit,” said Busby, who serves as a special adviser to head coach Xavier Gilbert.
Dominica Republic took the lead in the 35th minute through Christina Garcia, but that advantage was short-lived, as captain and leading scorer Jody Brown pulled the Jamaicans level two minutes later as the teams went in at halt-time locked at 1-1.
The home team, however, got what proved to be the winning goal 73 minutes into the contest, when Mia Gayle Asenjo got by her marker and slotted the ball under Jamaican goalkeeper Ella Dennis.
Shocked by the setback, the Jamaicans reacted strongly and pinned the hosts against the ropes for the remainder of the second-half, but despite creating a number of chances, they failed to get back on level terms.
While admitting that their exit was a bitter pill for the team to swallow, Bubsy said the coaching staff has only high praises for the young ladies.
“We had opportunities and we didn’t take them. They took theirs, and that is why they are into the semi-finals. It could have been better from us, but we are proud of the fight and character that these young ladies showed, and we are pleased that a number of these players have another Under-20 cycle,” Busby stated.
WEAKENED TEAM
Busby said the team was severely weakened after five key players missed the tournament due to injury or school commitments.
“Going into the tournament, we wanted to qualify for the World Cup although we knew we were missing five players from our senior team because of injury and school commitments. But it was an opportunity for others to step up, and that they did, and we are very proud.
“It’s just unfortunate that we didn’t get to the round that would put us in a position to qualify, so we are disappointed not to qualify, but we are really proud of the girls,” added Busby.
The Jamaicans scored 21 goals in the competition and conceded 9, with Brown contributing nine goals.