Another uphill task for Frazsiers Whip
Published:Thursday | September 5, 2024 | 12:12 AM
JAMAICA WOMEN’S Premier League (JWPL) champions Frazsiers Whip face another difficult task today when they play away to Monterey of Mexico in their second game of the Concacaf Women’s Champions Cup at the Estadio BBVS at 9 p.m.
Although coach Courtney Dowdie is hoping his charges can apply themselves and take a positive result from the match, he said making a good impression that will earn the players future opportunities remains their main objective.
“The goal is always the team’s objective. The objective is we want three points. But for me, the players come first. So although the objective for the match is to get three points, the main objective is that when we get back to Jamaica, we will be getting phone calls for some of these girls to get contracts and scholarships. That is the ultimate objective. But otherwise, we aim to come away from the game with something,” he said.
After losing their opening game to Alajuelense of Costa Rica, Dowdie believes that facing a team with a similar style of play will be to their benefit and that if they apply themselves and give everything, they can get a result.
“Monterey is a really good team. They are one of the best teams in Mexico. We would have seen how they played their first game and would have analysed it and seen how best the girls can match up.
“They might be a bit fitter than us, as they are professionals who do this every day, but the aim is to go there and give our best performance. And once we play as a team, we can have the best result possible,” continued Dowdie.
5-0 LOSS
Frazsiers Whip lost their opening game 5-0 to Alajuelense, but Dowdie thought the culture shock of playing at this level weighed heavily on the young ladies’ nerves that day. Today, however, he expects a more confident display.
“When you look at it, it is how you apply yourself. Our team is full of talent. It is just how we apply and face the game because nerves was a major part of it (first game).
“A day before, the girls couldn’t believe they were going to play at this level and they were saying they were nervous. Playing in a stadium like that and to see the crowd and the band that was playing, it shook them a little.
“But the team (Monterey) that we are going to play against is a similar-type team to the last one. So that is a positive for us.
“I am confident that they will improve. The good thing is they see what is ahead. They understand and realise that this is an opportunity for them. So they must stick with it wholeheartedly.”
Alajuelense and UANL Tigres (Mexico) lead Group A with three points each, while NJ/NY Gotham FC, Monterey and Frazsiers Whip are still to get off the mark.