Girlz in must-win situation against Haiti
Jamaica’s senior women’s football team faces off against Haiti in its final Concacaf Women’s Championship Group A game this evening at nine. Head coach Lorne Donaldson said the team is more willing to go the extra mile and will get the points needed to take them to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next year.
Both teams are tied on three points, with Haiti holding the better goal difference. They trail group leaders and World champions the United States of America, who are on maximum six points.
The top two teams from Groups A and B will book their place in the World Cup, with Jamaica needing to win to overtake their opponents in the group. Donaldson says that the Reggae Girlz are brave and he expects a good performance. “This is a one-off game and we have done well in one-off situations, and I do not expect anything less from this team in this one-off situation,” he said.
“It is going to be a tug-of-war and the team with the most heart will come out on top of this game. We have a lion’s heart so we’re hoping that carries us through the game. But I am expecting good things from my squad and I trust them in one-off situations and I will bet on us.”
After beating Mexico 1-0, the Girlz lost 5-0 to USA and Donaldson said they intend to be better than they were in that game.
He said they will have play on the front foot but be very aware of the danger the Haitians present.
“It is a must-win game for us, so we cannot go out there with a defensive mindset,” he said. “The Haitians are very good defensively so they are going to bunker in and try to counter-attack.
“So we have to pick our time and our possession game has to be a lot better.
“They are a team that is very fit and they will not give up. Tactically, we have to get it right and we have to try to exploit certain areas of the field.
“So we have to improve in all areas, from the defence to the attacking third. In all areas we must be better.”