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Reggae Girlz move closer to World Cup dream

Published:Thursday | October 11, 2018 | 12:00 AM
Gladstone Taylor
Gladstone Taylor / Photographer Jody Brown (centre) of Jamaica goes on the offensive against Maristania Mengana Perez (right) and Yarisleidy Mena Novo of Cuba during the CONCACAF Womens Qualifier held at The National Stadium in Kingston on Sunday September 2, 2018. Jamaica won that game 6-1. Brown scored three goals on Thursday at the CONCACAF Women's Championships in Texas, USA as Jamaica beat Cuba 9-0.

Jamaica's Reggae Girlz slammed Cuba 9-0 in their final group game at the CONCACAF Women's Championships on Thursday to book their spot in the semi-finals of the competition and continue their push for a spot at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. 

Sixteen year-old attacker Jody Brown scored a hat-trick with strikes in the 26th, 38th and 72nd minutes with Khadija Shaw (2nd), Sashana Campbell (30th, 75th), Deneisha Blackwood (PK, 50th), Christina Chang (54th) and Marlo Sweatman (82nd), saw the Jamaicans past the hapless Cubans in a one-sided affair at H-E-B Park in Edinburg, Texas. 

The Jamaicans knew they needed to score a lot of goals in order to nullify any possible goal difference disadvantage that a Costa Rica win over Canada would create in the late match. 

However, with the Canadians beating the Costa Ricans 3-1, Jamaica's path to the semi-final was secured and the Reggae Girlz will now turn their attention to Sunday's semi-final against the United States at 7:00 p.m. 

Canada will face Panama in the next semi, starting at 4:00 p.m.

The top three teams will automatically advance to the FIFA Women's World Cup, while the fourth placed finishers will play Argentina in a play-off for the next spot.