Girlz revealed
There were no real surprises as the technical staff of Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz officially announced its squad less one yesterday for this summer’s Fifa Women’s World Cup in France.
After months of training and evaluation, Head coach Hue Menzies and his team confirmed 22 players with one spot still to be filled. That spot could possibly go to creative midfielder Havana Solaun, who is still awaiting clearance from the world governing body for football, Fifa.
Should Solaun be confirmed that would mean no place for midfielders and veterans Christina Chang and Jadyn Matthews, and attacker Shakira Duncan.
Defenders Chanel Hudson-Marks and Tiffany Cameron, along with the attacking trio of Kayla McCoy, Cheyna Matthews and Olufolasade Adamolekun are the emerging players who found favour with the coaches for the June 7-July 7 tournament.
They join a core of players who led the Reggae Girlz historic qualification following their third-place finish in the Concacaf Women’s Championships in October last year.
Headlining that list is captain Konya Plummer, the prolific Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw and the young and crafty winger Jody Brown.
Goalkeepers Nicole McClure, Sydney Schneider, Yazmeen Jamieson have retained their places as well as Chinyelu Asher, Lauren Silver, Marlo Sweatman, Sashana Campbell, Toriana Patterson, Dominique Bond-Flasza, Deneisha Blackwood, Ashleigh Shim, Trudi Carter and the history-making siblings Allyson and Chantelle Swaby.
The Girlz, who are currently in Miami and were due to play a warm-up match against FC Surge today, will depart tomorrow for the United Kingdon where they will face Scotland in a friendly in that country on Tuesday. They will then fly to Lyon for a final squad camp before bowing into action against Brazil in neighbouring Grenoble on June 9.
Meanwhile, president of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Michael Ricketts yesterday reiterated his appreciation of the continued good work and commitment of the players.
“The JFF is extremely proud of the achievement of the Girlz who are a true representation of what make us Jamaicans. We are also proud of the coaching and other supporting staff who together make a fantastic unit.
“Based on the makeup, capabilities and ambassadorial spirit of the players and staff, the Federation is absolutely confident that the country will be represented with pride. We must also point out that none of this would have happened without the commitment and sacrifice of those Girlz who battled for us in the qualifiers, but will not be a part of the group for France, we express sincere thanks to those Girlz also” the JFF boss was quoted as saying.