THE National Under-17 Reggae Girlz closed out their practice encounters on a losing note going down 0-4 to the National Under-20 team at St George’s College on Friday.

But despite losing the encounter, the young Girlz camp was in high spirits as the team continued to show progress ahead of the first phase of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) World Cup qualifiers.

Having earned favourable results in their two recent practice games, against GC Foster College and UWI FC, the players appeared more accustomed to each other.

And despite failing to get on the scoresheet, they improved significantly and displayed good tactical skills and fitness.

They started out slowly and seemed intimidated by the stature of their Under-20 counterparts. Inspirational midfielder Khadija Shaw led the early assault by the Under-20s and put them 2-0 goals up at the break.

The Under-20s picked up where they left off on the resumption, adding two more goals to their tally. However, as the game progressed, they began to lose shape and a lack of stamina left them running on fumes.

The Under-17s seized the opportunity and began to pounce with an exhibition of useful passing skills and steady build-ups. And, had they been more composed in front of goal, chances are they would have outscored their opponents.

Assistant Coach Xavier Gilbert was satisfied with the effort by his team.

“I am very pleased with what I have seen. The girls are looking a lot better. We still have a few things to tighten up on, but they are now rounding into shape which is great,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

“They were a bit intimidated by the size of the Under-20 players at the start, but they did well to settle and I am confident that they will do well against their opponents at the tournament,” he added.

The team will conduct its final training session today at 7:00 am.

They will depart for Suriname tomorrow, where they will compete from Group Four alongside Barbados, St Lucia and the hosts. The top two teams from each group will progress to the second phase of the CFU round.

At the completion of the CONCACAF round, the top two teams, in addition to another from the play-offs, will represent CONCACAF at next year’s World Cup in Jordan.

Team: Oneilia Yearde (UWI FC); Sherice Clarke (Unattached); Rachel Walters (Waterhouse FC); Shanhaine Nelson (Waterhouse FC); Chavelle Henry (Waterhouse FC); Jody Brown (Unattached); Gabrielle Gayle (Unattached); Peta-Gay Dixon (Trelawny Women’s FC); Tateyana Pitter (Waterhouse FC); Sydoney Clarke (Unattached); Nerisa Distant (Harbour View FC); Monique Perrier (Harbour View FC); Tiana Schroeter (Unattached); Tarania Clarke (Waterhouse FC); Lacey-Ann Murray (Unattached); Emily Caza (GS United Canada); Lyana Steele (Western Soccer USA); Rena Gordon (Los Perfectos); Kendaya Jackson (Lauderhill Lions USA); Jamila Ashley (UWI FC)