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Jamaica’s Shaneil Buckley (left) tries to elude Panama’s Hilary Jaen through the Concacaf Ladies’s Gold Cup qualifying match on the Nationwide Stadium in November 2023. (Photograph: Naphtali Junior)
SHANEIL Buckley’s eyes gentle up when she talks about her lifelong dream: representing Jamaica on the FIFA Ladies’s World Cup. With unwavering willpower she believes that being chosen for the squad to play within the 2027 World Cup Qualifiers, which kick off in October this yr, could possibly be the stepping stone to realising her final aim.
Buckley’s journey with the senior workforce started in 2022 when she acquired her first call-up to coach with the squad. Since then, she has persistently been referred to as up for pleasant matches, accumulating invaluable studying alternatives.
“It has been good for me since then as I’ve been persistently…referred to as up for the pleasant matches, and I consider that I’ve learnt so much and the experiences have been invaluable. I consider that my sport has improved so much,” she says. “I simply need to proceed on the trail that I’m in the mean time,” Buckley informed the Jamaica Observer.
“My final dream is to play in a World Cup for Jamaica — that’s my lifelong dream — and if I had been to be referred to as as much as play within the qualifiers this yr, that might be so much to me,” Buckley declared.
“Not solely do I need to proceed to showcase my expertise on the worldwide stage but additionally, if I do properly, it might put me in a superb place to be chosen for the World Cup if we’re to qualify — which I consider we’d. Within the current pleasant matches I’ve been within the groups, and I hope to be within the workforce for the qualifiers as properly,” added Buckley who turns 20 on Might 20.
Regardless of lacking out on the 2023 World Cup squad, Buckley is working twice as onerous to make the Girlz squad in the event that they make it to 2027 world showpiece.
“I had labored actually onerous to achieve the 2023 World Cup squad however, sadly, I didn’t make the workforce. So, this time I’m working twice as onerous to make the 2027 World Cup workforce. First, to make the workforce to the qualifiers, and second, to achieve success within the qualifiers and make it to the World Cup,” the previous Excelsior Excessive Faculty standout mentioned.
The Reggae Girlz have been invited to play the USA in a pleasant on June 3, after China pulled out. Now taking part in towards a top-ranked workforce wouldn’t solely be thrilling for Buckley however it might additionally provide an opportunity for her to be taught from them and enhance her sport.
“If I ought to get picked within the squad for the USA, that would carry me nearer to being chosen for the qualifiers. I imply, taking part in towards the primary workforce could be very thrilling and on the similar time I might be studying from them additionally, which might then construct my model. It’s about enhancing on my sport — and I welcome each problem to make me a greater participant,” she emphasised.
Along with her sights set on the highest, Buckley is decided to achieve the top of her occupation.
“The sky is the restrict, and I need to attain the highest of my occupation and see the place it takes me. I’m attempting to be significantly better,” Buckley mentioned.
A current stint taking part in for Daytona State Faculty in the USA proved to be a beneficial expertise for Buckley. In 22 video games, for which she has began 21 occasions, Buckley has scored 20 targets with three of them being match winners.
“I went overseas final yr to play for Daytona State Faculty in [the] faculty league in the USA. We gained every part. I scored 20 targets, which I assumed was actually good. Once I first went I wasn’t taking part in that a lot as a result of I used to be injured, and so I may have scored extra targets. However I’m grateful for the chance and the expertise,” declared Buckley.
Waiting for the following season with Daytona, Buckley is raring to construct on her success.
“I really feel good,” she mentioned. “Hope that [for] subsequent season — which began about August or September thereabout this yr — I hope to attain extra targets and win every part once more.”
Jamaica’s Shaneil Buckley (proper) will get to the ball forward of Guatemala’s Jemery Myvett throughout a match within the Concacaf Ladies’s Below-20 Championship within the Dominican Republic on February 26, 2022. (Photograph: Concacaf Media)
BUCKLEY… within the current pleasant matches I’ve been within the groups, and I hope to be within the workforce for the qualifiers as properly
Shaneil Buckley (proper) celebrates with teammates after scoring towards Bermuda within the Concacaf Ladies’s Below-20 Championship on the Nationwide Stadium in Managua, Nicaragua, in April 2023. (Photograph: Concacaf Media)
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