'An amazing feeling' - Reggae Girlz grab crucial World Cup Qualifying win over Costa Rica

National senior women's football team goalkeeper Sydney Schneider produced a top quality performance, with four crucial saves in the second half as the Reggae Girlz defeated Costa Rica 1-0 in their Group B CONCACAF final round Women's World Cup Qualifiers in Edinburg, Texas yesterday.

Schneider, who struggled to hide her elation after the game, said it was an amazing feeling to play such a big role in the team's first win over the Costa Ricans.

"I feel amazing, it's just a great feeling and you just want to repeat this feeling over and over again," Schneider said with a big smile. "We definitely worked hard and I definitely feel like we deserved it."

The Jamaicans held on for most of the first half of the game. It was a lacklustre half where Costa Rica had more possession of the ball, but failed to do anything meaningful with the possession. The Reggae Girlz had their breaks too but did not make the most of their two chances and did not threaten enough in the final third.

Khadija Shaw came up with the goal right after the start of the second half after winger Deneisha Blackwood took the ball down the left channel, on to the byline before playing a low pass inside to the tall striker. Shaw, after receiving the ball, showed great control on the ball, twisting and turning, leaving her marker Mariana Benavides behind, before firing to the near post of Costa Rica goalkeeper Daniela Solera in the 46th minute.

Three vital points

The win gives Jamaica three points and put them into third place heading into their final game on Thursday against last placed Cuba, whom they also played and defeated 5-1 in the previous round of qualifying on September 2.

Costa Rica will face group leaders Canada on the same day. Two teams will advance from the group to meet their counterparts from Group A in the semi-finals. From there, the finalists and third place finisher will qualify for the FIFA World Cup in France next year, while the fourth-placed team faces Argentina in a home and away playoff series.