Asher ready for whomever as World Cup draw approaches

National midfielder Chinleyu Asher is relishing the challenge of earning her spot at next summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup from a Reggae Girlz talent pool that has strengthened from four years ago.

The Women’s World Cup draw commences in 12 days, on October 20, when Jamaica will know their group-stage opponents as they look to take the programme one step further from their historic appearance in 2019.

Asher was a part of that historic campaign and is not shying away from the elevated expectations that she is setting for herself and the team, fearing no opponent regardless of where Jamaica is placed.

“Expectations are definitely to get out of the group stage and continue far into the tournament. I think we have the quality to do so. In terms of what group draw would be best, I’m maybe not the best person to ask. I want all the smoke! Any group and I’m still betting on us,” Asher told The Gleaner.

Asher, who plays for AIK, in Sweden is also relishing the battle that has already commenced to be on the final roster for the tournament in Australia and New Zealand. With a talent pool that has got better during this cycle, she said that it was the ideal environment that would push the programme forward and her to her limits.

“The expanded talent pool does exactly what it’s supposed to do, create competition in the team, and drive the quality of training camps higher. Whether you’re someone trying to break into the team or a consistent starter, this is a really good thing, because the overall standard is raised for the programme,” Asher said. “For me, I never take a call up for granted, and I think that mentality is crucial as we are getting closer to the World Cup. I’m being intentional about my training and personal performances with AIK because I know that will help set the tone for my readiness and availability for a call-up next month.”

That window will feature a two-game series against Paraguay which will see the team return home to play for the first time since April and since the Concacaf Women’s Championship where they secured back-to-back World Cup qualifications. With the strides taken under interim head coach Lorne Donaldson, Asher said that returning home will allow the fans to see the progress they have made.

“There’s no place like home honestly and I’m happy that we’ll all be able to finish out the year in Jamaica in front of our fans. We’ve grown a lot this year under our new staff, we’ve grown in our pool and quality with new talent and have also had the opportunity of having more camps to create team chemistry and style,” Asher said.

Jamaica first game against Paraguay will be on November 10 in Montego Bay before finishing in Kingston at the National Stadium on November 13.

daniel.wheeler@gleanerjm.com