‘We have to pick up the pieces now’
Blaine hopes that Girlz can improve national morale as squad is announced for 2023 World Cup chase
WITH THE men’s World Cup qualifying dream ending, national senior women’s head coach Vin Blaine says that the programme has a responsibility to lift the morale of football fans in the country in getting back to the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals.
His comments came after he announced the 23-player squad that will contest the first two World Cup qualifying first-round matches starting next Thursday against Bermuda at the National Stadium.
The squad comprises a majority of the players who have played together since returning to international play last June, including Manchester City’s Khadija Shaw who returned to the Reggae Girlz squad last October against Costa Rica. There are notable exclusions which include captain Konya Plummer, Chenya Matthews and Havana Solaun, who were all a part of the successful 2019 qualifying campaign.
At yesterday’s press conference, he said that they acknowledge the task they have at hand is more than just achieving their final-round qualifying objectives.
“The Reggae Boyz lead the thrust of football in the organisation. We, the women’s programme, have now decided that we have to pick up the pieces right now. (But) I am not focusing on what they did. We have to focus on what we have to do,” Blaine said.
He will do so with a squad that he has described as potentially the best that he has ever managed in terms of talent and tactical awareness. And while he recognises the elevated expectations, he says that he does not feel the pressure and his players are bullish about their own abilities and targets.
“I have to have a positive mindset going into this tournament and let it move out to the young ladies. They are all confident and that is what makes me positive. The fans are there to keep me focused. The fans are there to put a little pressure on us so that we can do well. That’s a normal thing,” Blaine said.
The players are expected to arrive on the island on Monday.
Even with the limited preparation time, Blaine says that the squad is experienced enough to get the job done with the additional boost of the 2,500 fans that will be allowed to attend next Thursday’s opener.
“They are playing at a high level. I can’t develop their technical abilities, so it’s all about tactical work, and tactical work is all about how I want them to play. I think they are intelligent enough players that I can get that across to them without any problems,” Blaine said.
Only the group winners from all six first-round groups will qualify for the eight-team final round which begins in July. Four teams from the region will automatically qualify for the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.