Girlz set to play top South American team
Head coach of Jamaica’s senior women’s team, Hubert Busby Jr, says they are now finalising plans for the Reggae Girlz to play a friendly international against a top South American team during the FIFA window next month.
The next FIFA window is scheduled for September 13-21, and, according to Busby Jr, they are hoping to play two friendly international games, which are crucial for their preparations for the World Cup qualifiers which begin in November.
“Right now as we speak, we are trying to organise something for the next two windows,” said Busy Jr. “It is very tricky with the availability of teams because, obviously, they also have a schedule.
From here on in our goal is to play teams ranked ahead of us leading into the qualifiers. We are 51 in the world right now and if we are going to play anyone then they must be ranked higher than us.”
He added: “We are aiming to play a top South American team and we are looking to confirm something in the next 10 days.” Busby declined to name the South American country as he said they would not do so until the negotiations are completed. Brazil (7), Colombia (26), Argentina (35), Chile (37) and Paraguay (50) are the South American countries ranked above Jamaica.
The vastly experienced coach pointed out that all the players that are currently vying for spots on the national team are being closely monitored by his coaching staff because only the best players will be selected for the World Cup qualifiers in November.
“Most of the European-based ones are well into their preseason camp and they have started playing friendly matches with their clubs and some of them have started playing in the USL (United Soccer League) season here in the United States and so it has been good for us,” he said.
The Reggae Girlz recorded a 1-0 victory over Nigeria before going down 4-0 to the United States in their last two friendly international matches in June.