Charting history
Frasziers Whip want to inspire during first Concacaf W Champions Cup game in Jamaica
Published:Wednesday | September 18, 2024 | 12:08 AMGregory Bryce/Staff Reporter
WHEN FRAZSIERS Whip play their first home game in the Concacaf W Champions Cup today at the National Stadium against Mexican opponents Tigres Femenil, their goal will be to put on a brilliant showing to inspire fans of women’s football in Jamaica.
Frasziers Whip have endured a rough start to life in the inaugural regional women’s club competition as they currently sit at the foot of Group A with two losses in a row.
However, they will be hoping to turn their fortunes around when they take on Tigres on home soil for the first time in the club’s history.
Frasziers Whip coach Courtney Dowdie said it was particularly important for the team to make an impressive showing at the National Stadium as the eyes of the entire local women’s football community will be on them.
“It’s very important,” he said.
“Apart from the national team, this competition brings the second-biggest women’s tournament to the country, so it’s very important. It also brings other female teams to come out and watch quality football and definitely, we’re hoping to start off right at home and give our best as always.”
Despite their poor run so far in the group stages, Dowdie said he expects a better performance this time around as the players will compete in front of familiar faces.
He said a major factor in their losses in the two away games was the nerves affecting the players due to the magnitude of the occasion.
He believes this concern should now be settled and the players will be ready to give their best.
“I think for us, the nerves would have gone or I’m hoping that it would have gone from our first two games played,” said Dowdie.
Playing in front of friends and family
“Our last game we went to a stadium that was so big for the girls. There were playing there for the very first time, so I think that playing those two games away really is going to calm us a little bit.
“It’s still a big stage and they’re playing in front of friends and family for the very first time at this stage. I think the first two games played away would have helped with the nerves.”
Dowdie also applauded the efforts of the young players who have stepped up to the first team following the departure of several of the squad’s top players who have pursued scholarships overseas.
He said Frasziers Whip’s conveyor belt of talent is an indication of a good development programme, which continues to prepare players for the top level of football in Jamaica
“It is good for us because it shows that we have good development to have players coming up the ranks when players leave overseas for scholarships,” he said.
“We’re confident that we’ll have players from this batch that next year will move on and it’s always good to have a team like that where persons keep stepping up. It’s good to have players who you can trust to always step up the ranks when it’s needed.”
The match is set to kick off at 7:00 p.m.