‘Two tough games’
Gilbert: We want to play some good football (against Chile) and ensure our ranking doesn’t drop
WITH SEVERAL senior Reggae Girlz still making themselves unavailable due to their impasse with the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), and with a few experienced players missing, coach Xavier Gilbert is anticipating two very tough friendly encounters against Chile on February 23 and 27.
The last time the teams met in a similar two-way friendly series in Jamaica in 2019, the Reggae Girlz won 3-2 and 1-0 and Gilbert believes that will also be an extra motivating factor for the South Americans, who will be on home soil this time around. Khadija Shaw, who plays for Manchester City in England’s Women’s Super League, scored twice in the 3-2 victory but she is one of the top players out. Marlo Sweatman, who got the winner in the 1-0 victory, is in the current squad. Chile defeated Jamaica 6-0 at last year’s Pan American Games but the Jamaica squad was very young and inexperienced.
“It is going to be a tough encounter. The last time we played them in the National Stadium, we defeated them (1-0) and I am sure they will want to return the favour.
“Haiti played them last year (Inter Continental World Cup playoff game) in a tough encounter and they got some good opportunities and rattled the bar a couple times. They looked good.
“They have some players in Europe as well who are always trying to make their mark and use these games to move up. So it will be tough. Hopefully, we can withstand what they have to offer and exploit any weaknesses we can,” he stated.
Going into unknown territory, against a Chilean side that has won their last three matches, with a very inexperienced squad, Gilbert insists that their defensive organisation is going to be key.
However, 15 players returning from the Gold Cup qualifying squad gives them some stability and continuity going into the games, he said.
“Our defensive organisation is one of the things we have earmarked to work on and if we manage to get those right we could get a favourable result.
“It (continuity in squad) should help and make life a little easier. Some people will be missing in key positions but it’s exposure for others. Hopefully, they can make their mark on the international stage” he said.
Despite being the underdogs, Gilbert said the intention is to not lose the games.
“The reality is it will be tough. We have to see if we can eke out positive results from the games. We want to play some good football and ensure our ranking doesn’t drop.
“So I am just hoping we can go there and execute and get favourable results in the two games,” he said.
Some members of the squad will depart the island for Chile today, while the rest of the group will join up in the capital, Santiago, on Wednesday.