‘We must be positive’

Jamaica’s young Reggae Girlz will face the United States (US) in a tough Concacaf Championships Under-17 quarter-final match tomorrow in the Dominican Republic. Jamaica have never beaten the US in a women’s international match but two local coaches think with proper planning the young Girlz can pull off a massive upset.

Experienced coaches Charles Edwards and Andrew Price believe the Jamaican team can get a good result if they go into the game with a positive mindset and a sound tactical plan.

In the lead-up to tomorrow’s match, the young Girlz defeated Bermuda 7-0, hosts Dominica Republic 3-1 and drew 1-1 with Canada in the group stage, before slamming Cuba 4-0 in their quarter-final on Sunday.

On the other hand, the United States have been in awesome form beating Grenada 20-0, Puerto Rico 13-0 and Costa Rica 5-0 in group play, before cruising to an 11-0 win over Curaçao in their quarter-final.

Price, a former assistant coach of the senior national women’s team, said although the Girlz have been beaten badly by the US in the past, the fact that they are in still in the competition means they still have a chance, no matter how small.

“You have to be in it to win it,” he stated.

“We are in the quarter-finals, so the girls must go with the mindset that they can beat the US.

“They are quite aware that this is going to be a daunting task and they must be prepared to go out there and fight. If they put in the same type of effort they did against Canada, they will be able to battle the US.”

He said the team has to play the game in parts and believes the longer they can keep the US from scoring, the greater the probability of getting a positive result.

“We have to see how long we can prevent the US from scoring. In doing that we will get them frustrated and we have players who can counter in transition.

“We must use that quick transition to get behind the US defence and try to hurt them. If any team can pull off an upset, it is Jamaica. It is a daunting task but with a positive mindset we can achieve something positive,” Price stated.

Getting better game by game

Edwards, who is also a former national women’s coach, agrees the team has to think positive going into the game but he says the tactical deployment of players will be even more crucial in achieving an unlikely victory.

“Everybody’s saying it is hopeless against the US and it does seem a daunting task. But I am one of those people who believes in the ball being round and I will remain optimistic.

“The young Girlz are not playing badly. They seem to be getting better game by game. They won the last game 4-0 but the US are a completely different ball game,” he said.

“It is going to be difficult to get a good result. But we have to remain positive and optimistic and play with some level of confidence and belief in ourselves.

“But for us to get a good result, the coaching staff have to draft up a plan that can nullify the US attack and get our game going to get a goal or two.

“There have been some good, positive signs for us but whether or not we can use this to defeat the US will be determined by the coach’s plan.

“So they will have to sit and look at the US team properly. Look for their weaknesses and find the ones we can exploit,” Edwards said.

Meanwhile, under-17 forward Sundal Amele said they are working hard in training and she believes they have a team that can challenge the US for a place in the last four.

“We just need to keep listening to the coach and his instructions and try to execute very well. Definitely with the team we have, we can take them on, as we did with Canada,” she commented. Wednesday’s quarter-final kicks off at 3 p.m. (Jamaica time).

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com