Another dream has ended
Young Reggae Girlz unceremoniously dumped from World Cup qualifier
Published:Thursday | May 5, 2022 | 12:14 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
JAMAICA’S UNDER-17 Reggae Girlz’s hopes of upstaging favourites United States in the Concacaf Under-17 Women’s Championship quarterfinal and eventually booking a place in the final and Under-17 Women’s World Cup later this year were crushed at Estadio Panamericano in San Cristóbal, the Dominican Republic, yesterday.
The Americans advanced to the last four of the competition yesterday thanks to first-half goals from Amalia Villarreal (third minute), Charlotte Kohler (32’), and Riley Jackson (42’). Melina Rebimbas (56’) would add a bonus in the second half.
The Americans got off to the best possible start when Villarreal headed them in front from an Alyssa Gonzalvez cross.
The US dominated the young Reggae Girlz, who defended stoutly but also had to thank the brilliance of goalkeeper Liya Brooks for preventing them from falling further behind.
However, the Girlz’s resistance was eventually broken for the second time when Kohler latched on to a bad defensive clearance and fired past Brooks from 12 yards.
COMFORTABLE LEAD
Jackson netted the US’ third after combining with a teammate before slotting past Brooks, giving the favourites a comfortable lead four minutes from the break.
It did not take the USA long to add a fourth after halftime as in the 56th minute, Rebimbas redirected a cross past Brooks from just three yards.
The USA took their foot off the gas afterwards but continued to dominate possession while limiting the young Reggae Girlz to just one effort in the half, their second of the match.
The US also had a few chances to extend their lead, but Brooks’ good work between the sticks kept the score at 4-0.
The US advanced to the semi-finals, where they will face the winner of the Costa Rica-Canada game, which took place after press time yesterday, on Friday.
In another quarterfinal yesterday, Mexico hammered hosts Dominican Republic 10-0. Mexico will play the winner of the Puerto Rico-El Salvador quarterfinal, also on Friday.
The top three teams from the tournament will qualify for the World Cup in India in October.