Reggae Girlz blanked in Recife

THE REGGAE Girlz suffered a 4-0 defeat to South American giants Brazil yesterday in the first of two friendlies in Brazil.

Two goals on either side of the half-time break at the Arena Pernambuco were enough to seal the win for the Brazilians in Recife.

A strike from Adriana in the 26th minute, an own goal from defender Chantelle Swaby in the 38th, and a brace from Marta (64th and 90th) rounded out the scorers.

Brazil controlled much of the action throughout the game but found much of their early chances stymied by a solid Jamaican defence.

They eventually break the deadlock in the 26th when Adriana’s wonder effort from just outside the box found its way through a crowd of defenders.

They would double their lead in the 38th when a floated ball into the box caused a scramble in front of goal and Ludmila da Silvia’s subsequent effort deflected off Swaby.

Brazil would begin the second half in the ascendancy and Adriana came close to her second of the game but saw her shot hitting the crossbar.

Minutes later, Vitória Yaya placed the ball in the back of the net for Brazil’s third but a check from VAR saw the goal disallowed.

Brazil would not be denied their next goal, however, as football icon Marta made no mistake from close range in the 64th.

Marta returned to complete her brace late in the second half, dancing past her marker to fire her effort into the top right of the goal.

Coach Hubert Busby said the team had not been able to put their game plan into action because of having missed out on months of playing with each other.

He said there was much to improve on ahead of their second game.

“In terms of the expectations for us, it wasn’t the result that we would want. However, the core of this group, most people would have known, have not been together for months,” he said.

“I do believe, in terms of our match plan, there were things we could have done better. But, credit to Brazil, they made things difficult for us.”

Jamaica plays Brazil in their second fixture on Tuesday at the Fonte Nova Arena.