For Assistant Coach Xavier Gilbert the Reggae Girlz’s continued historic run at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is proof of the players’ growth since they first qualified for the global showpiece four years ago.

Jamaica, who had lost their first three games at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, made huge steps last Sunday in Sydney when they held France to a 0-0 draw to capture their first point at the games.

At the time, that result against France was Jamaica’s signature moment in women’s football. A few days later, the Reggae Girlz eclipsed that piece of history by going one better to win their first World Cup game on Saturday, defeating Concacaf opponents Panama 1-0 at Perth Rectangular Stadium in Australia.

In the 56th minute of play, stand-in captain Allyson Swaby headed home Trudi Carter’s corner kick to give Jamaica the historic victory.

“It’s a great feeling, and I believe we deserved to win. We didn’t settle as well as we should have, and I believe we were hurrying to get the first goal, which took a while to come,” Gilbert told the Jamaica Observer.

“Credit must be given to the opposition as well because they didn’t make it easy for us and we didn’t expect it to be easy either, but we held our composure and our captain came up trumps for us tonight, and for that we have to be grateful,” he continued.

The Jamaicans’ success, according to Gilbert, demonstrates the Reggae Girlz commitment to the sport.

“This victory against Panama goes to show how the ladies have grown since the last World Cup, since the qualifiers, and what they have been doing. We saw a glimpse of it [their progression] when we played some opponents, and while the results were not what we would have liked, we saw some good things and some good signs.

“And for those games, if it was a situation where we would have to get points, things would have been different. Nonetheless, this demonstrates how much they have progressed as a unit and even as individuals.

“What I believe has contributed to the team’s real success thus far is the camaraderie, the hard work that has been done behind the scenes, the support from Ambassador Cedella Marley and our sponsors,” Gilbert stated.

The veteran coach of the women’s game stated that the reaction and appreciation shown to the Reggae Girlz have been nothing short of overwhelming.

“The reaction has been positive across the board since the victory. We must credit our defensive unit for two games and two clean sheets. That’s phenomenal headed by the Swaby twins (Chantelle and Allyson), whom I refer to as the twin-power sisters. Deneisha Blackwood and Tiffany Cameron played nicely in the back tonight. Vyan Sampson was effective in the midfield.

“The team’s overall performance was excellent. Everyone did their part to ensure that we won, and that is the most essential thing; everyone did their part. This victory means a lot to Jamaicans all over the world,” Gilbert remarked.

Jamaica and France are equal for first place in Group F, with four points each; Brazil is third with three points; and Panama last with none.

Jamaica will meet Brazil on Wednesday, knowing that a point will be enough to secure a historic position in the last 16.

Gilbert stated that the win puts the squad in a solid position to advance to the next round.

“There is always room for advancement on Wednesday, and hopefully we can do what we need to do — avoid defeat and advance to the next round. The ladies are expected to go out there and give it their all, and hopefully it will be enough to advance us to the next round.

“But even if they don’t, we are proud and glad for them. Based on their performances thus far, they have really made Jamaica proud and have garnered a lot of respect right across the world,” he said.