Thu | Jan 2, 2025

Wasteful Girlz lose 2-1 to Paraguay

Published:Monday | November 14, 2022 | 9:04 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer -
Jamaica's Kayla MCoy (left) heads the ball while under pressure from Paraguay's Daysy Bareiro during their friendly international match at the National Stadium this evening.. Paraguay won the match 2-1.
Ricardo Makyn
Jamaica's Kayla MCoy (left) heads the ball while under pressure from Paraguay's Daysy Bareiro during their friendly international match at the National Stadium this evening.. Paraguay won the match 2-1.

Jamaica Reggae Girlz were wasteful in front of goal and went down 2-1 in the second game of their two-match friendly international series against Paraguay at the National Stadium Sunday night.

Celsa Sandoval provided an 18th-minute lead for Paraguay, who extended their advantage through Ramona Martinez after 35 minutes.

Khadija Shaw got a goal back for the Jamaicans from the penalty spot in the second half but the South Americans defended stoutly to come away with a priceless result.

Reggae Girlz coach Lorne Donaldson said the players weren't looking too sharp in the warm-up and it showed in the match.

"We are still looking at players, still looking at things but it is not going to be at all cost. There is some stuff to deal with in the camp and it was evident in the first 20 minutes and we saw it in the warm-up.

"Second half we made some changes and got a lot more energy but we wasted some chances but such is football. For us this is preparation," he said.

Sandoval put her team in front when she intercepted Daniesha Blackwood's back pass and although goalkeeper Rebecca Spence threw her off initially, Sandoval recovered and slotted home the opener.

Drew Spence, Shaw, Paige Bailey-Gayle, Chantelle Swaby, Kayla McKoy, Spence and Siohban Wilson all squandered good chances before the break, as Martinez turned in a grounded cross by Jessica Martinez to add to the Reggae Girlz’ woes.

After the restart, Spence spurned another great effort after being set up by Shaw, before Rachel Jones' cross was handled by a defender and Shaw emphatically fired home the resulting penalty to cut the deficit.

Cheyna Matthews then put a great chance wide midway the half, while Paraguay/s goalkeeper Cristina Recalde was quick off her line to snuff out an excellent chance for Shaw at the death.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

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