Samuda hails Reggae Girlz for history-making World Cup qualification
Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz put the scribes to work again on Monday night when they created history by qualifying for the FIFA Senior Women’s World Cup for a second time after blanking Haiti 4-0.
It was a back-to-back qualification for the tournament for the Girlz who participated in the 2019 staging in France.
Heading into the match against Caribbean neighbours Haiti, victory would guarantee automatic qualification for the event to be held in Australia and New Zealand next summer, while any other result would mean a ten-team playoff for the remaining spot.
Jamaica was sent on their way when Trudi Carter scored in the 26th minute as Jamaica led 1-0 at halftime. An eleven-minute brace from captain Khadijah “Bunny” Shaw then all but guaranteed victory as she scored from open play in the 59th minute and then the penalty spot in the 70th minute.
Drew Spence then put the icing on the cake with a well-placed header to the back post in the 79th minute, which queued celebrations from the players on the field and everyone on the bench.
Jamaica Olympic Association president, Chris Samuda, congratulated the girls on writing a new chapter in their glorious football history, even as he promised continued support from the association he leads.
“With victory over Haiti, the journey now begins for our Reggae Girlz and as we did on the previous occasion, the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) will be on that voyage with the team, the team of one of our members, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF),” Samuda said.
“History has repeated itself and the JOA commends the girls for writing, yet again, another admirable chapter, in what we know will be a bestseller in football,” he added.
Samuda said that what the players have achieved will inspire the next generation of Reggae Girlz.
“Well done, Girlz! The fraternity of sport applauds you and the Olympic movement thanks you for giving our youth, particularly our young girls, invaluable lessons in courage and inspiration,” he said.
Jamaica, who beat Mexico and Haiti to qualify for the World Cup at the ongoing CONCACAF qualifying tournament, will now advance to the semifinals where they will face Canada in a hunt to secure a spot at the Olympic Games in France in 2024.