Reggae Girls Blanked Guatemala

Jamaica National Under 17 Women footballers kicked off their campaign at the CONCACAF Finals for the FIFA Under 17 World Cup Qualifying Tournament with a bang Wednesday evening in Guatemala City.

This as they blanked host Guatemala 3-nil in their opening match at the Progreso Cementos Stadium to strengthen their chance for a semifinal berth for the first time at that age group level.

A brace from Kayla Gray and a stunning shot from Khadija Shaw helped the Junior Reggae Girls to the crushing win.

Gray netted in the 13^th and 42^nd minutes of play as Jamaica led the host 2-nil at half time while Shaw sealed the issue in the 65^th.

Coach Vin Blaine was just happy to be starting a CONCACAF championship tournament with a win.

Meanwhile, iIt was not all happy news for Jamaica however as four of the players had to receive extensive medical attention during and at the end of the match.

Three were suffering with respiratory problems while one had cramps.

They were treated extensively with oxygen mask and were even stretchered away from the first aid tent to the ambulance for further treatment.

The situation was not unique to the Jamaican team as a number of the Canadian players had similar problems in their 6-nil hammering of Panama in the opening match of the tournament.

 Jamaica will now turn their attention to Friday’s second game when they will meet the Canadians in an early top of the table clash at 3 pm Jamaica time.

The winner of the group and the second place team will advance to the semifinals from where three teams will qualify for the FIFA World Cup Finals to be played in Azerbaijan September 23p-October 9 this year.