SEIZE THE MOMENT – Jamaica Observer

The stage has been set for an exciting encounter between Jamaica’s senior Reggae Girlz and powerhouses United States in a global pleasant sport on June 3 on the Energizer Stadium in St Louis, Missouri.

The match marks an important step within the Reggae Girlz’s preparation for the 2027 Fédération Internationale de Soccer Affiliation (FIFA) Ladies’s World Cup Qualifiers, which kick off in October.

Initially scheduled to play China on that date, the US have discovered a brand new opponent in Jamaica after the Asian nation pulled out. No motive was given for the Chinese language withdrawal from the June 3 sport.

The chance to play the US is a welcome one for the Reggae Girlz to check their abilities in opposition to one of many world’s top-ranked groups.

The match would be the first one between the groups for the reason that 2022 Concacaf Ladies’s Championship in Mexico which the US gained 5-0.

Dennis Chung, normal secretary of the Jamaica Soccer Federation (JFF), expressed his pleasure in regards to the alternative and believes that this match can be an enormous increase for the group as they intention for his or her third-consecutive World Cup look.

“That is going to assist considerably in getting them [to the World Cup]. This is likely one of the matches lined up for them, a continuation of it. We try to get in as a lot matches as potential for the Girlz main as much as the qualifiers. So the group will come collectively and the gamers can be chosen and we’ll guarantee that we are going to qualify for the World Cup,” Chung informed the Jamaica Observer.

The match in opposition to the US can be a major take a look at for the Reggae Girlz. Chung acknowledged that Jamaica has by no means crushed the US earlier than, however he’s assured that the group will be taught from the expertise because the match will present beneficial perception for the group as they put together for the qualifiers.

“We have now by no means crushed the US earlier than and so this can be a take a look at. I imply, it is a pleasant sport and we’re going to get a take a look at of one of many higher groups that’s on the market, perhaps the perfect on the planet, rated at primary. So we’ll get a take a look at of what’s up there so after we go in to the qualifiers we may have a good suggestion of what we have to do,” he stated.

Regardless of current losses in opposition to Mexico, Chung is optimistic in regards to the group’s prospects. He famous that the group confirmed enchancment within the second half of each video games, indicating that they’re heading in the right direction.

“I believe they are going to do effectively. I believe the Girlz are coming collectively. I don’t assume the coach has chosen the ultimate group but. They’re introducing some younger gamers additionally and they’re in transition they usually did comparatively effectively.

“We acquired crushed within the final two video games in opposition to Mexico however the second half of the 2 video games we got here out stronger and so it’s actually only a matter of placing the group collectively. It isn’t like we acquired blown out the complete sport as we performed effectively within the second half of every sport,” Chung stated.

With the precise group in place, Chung is assured that the Reggae Girlz will stand robust and obtain their objective of qualifying for the World Cup.

“I believe what it [games against Mexico] confirmed is that when we put the precise group collectively, I believe we’ll rise up very robust and undoubtedly going to the World Cup,” he stated.

Sophia Smith (proper) of United States scores previous Jamaica goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer in the course of the Concacaf Ladies’s soccer championship match at BBVA Bancomer stadium in Monterrey, Mexico, on July 7, 2022. (Picture: AFP)