Reggae Girlz back for Brazil friendly
Published:Sunday | April 28, 2024 | 12:10 AMOrane Buchanan - Staff Reporter
REGGAE GIRLZ head coach Xavier Gilbert is expecting to see many of the players who held Brazil to a 1-1 draw at the World Cup last year back in the squad for the teams’ rematches on June 1 and 4 in Salvador.
“We are very close to having them back, as pretty much all of them have made themselves available for selection, except for the ones who are carrying injuries,” said Gilbert.
Brazil are set to use the two-match friendly internationals as preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, while the Reggae Girlz will be looking to get things right for crucial fixtures later this year.
“We are preparing for the World Cup qualifiers and the Nations League. So it will be good practice. Brazil is a tough opposition and we just want to rekindle and continue where we had left off from our last set of games. Having players who played in the World Cup is an added boost, which hopefully will re-energise the Reggae Girlz’ quest going forward,” said Gilbert.
The team is on a 14-game winless streak, with their last victory coming on July 29, 2023 in a 1-0 victory over Panama during the group stage of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
According to Gilbert, while the team has had to cope without their regular players, he has seen positive signs and hopes the team will continue to improve.
“It’s just for us to start again, as we want to continue to play good football and see where the players are at and how do we move forward, ” he said.