Reggae Girlz exit Pan Am Games

A brace from Colombian midfielder Leicy Santos was all it took for Jamaica’s hope for a semi-finals berth in Pan American Games football to be dashed. The Hue Menzies-coached Reggae Girlz suffered a 2-0 defeat to Colombia in their second group match at Estadio Universidad San Marcos yesterday.

Jamaica lacked the clinical ‘Bunny-effect’ of marquee striker Khadija Shaw as the team failed to register a single shot on target in what was a less-than-impressive attacking effort against their South American opponents.

Heading into the game, the pressure was on the Jamaicans to salvage a result to keep their hopes alive after Mexico suffered a shock defeat to Paraguay to throw the balance of the group off-kilter.

Jamaica went into the game with some confidence with the last meeting between the two sides ending 2-1 to the Girlz advantage.

The pendulum swung in Colombia’s favour however as it took only two minutes before the first real chance of the game came off the feet of Catalina Usme who lofted her shot over the bar from six yards out.

Constant Colombian pressure

Constant pressure from the Colombians came to fruition in the 58th minute when Santos’ free kick found the back of the net despite custodian Sydney Schneider’s best efforts. Santos would return for the double in the 85th minute to guarantee the win.

This result means that Colombia move to the top of the group with a superior goal difference over Paraguay, with both countries on four points each. Mexico slipped to third place with three points while Jamaica remains rooted to the foot of the table yet to register a point from two games. Other Jamaicans competing on the day included gymnast Danusia Francis who finished seventh in the final of the women’s beam final with a score of 11.733. American Kara Eaker won the event’s gold medal with a score of 15.266. In men’s squash, Jamaica finished ninth overall when they defeated Chile 2-0. Jamaica took the ascendency in the first two singles matches, winning 3-0 and 1-0.

Jamaica return to action today when the men’s football team will go seeking for their first win when they face Uruguay. The match is scheduled to kick off 5:30 p.m at Estadio Universidad San Marcos Stadium.

- Gregory Bryce