Young Reggae Girlz booted from qualifiers after Panama thrashing

Jamaica’s Under-20 national team suffered a 3-0 defeat to Panama in their round-of-16 Concacaf Women’s U20 Championship at the Estadio Panamericano, San Cristóbal, in the Dominican Republic yesterday.

Shayari Camarena opened the scoring for Panama in the 11th minute of the knockout encounter before Wendy Natis doubled the tally in the 39th from the penalty spot. In the second half, Yasli Atencio made it 3-0 to the Panamanians in the 62nd minute.

Panama dominated possession, holding onto the ball for 59 per cent of the time, and put together 327 passes, but still, Jamaica did have opportunities to get into the game.

The Jamaicans had 13 shots at goal, one more than the Panamanians, but only managed to get four on target when compared to their opponents who had seven.

Panama were also more aggressive, and even though the teams split two yellow cards apiece, the winners were first to the ball more regularly and committed more than half the fouls in the game.

In the day’s other games, Mexico, thanks to braces from Aylín Aviléz and Daniela Delgado, romped to a 9-0 win over Curacao, while Guatemala beat Peru 2-0, and Haiti got the better of Guyana 2-1.