Calling the young guns

REGGAE GIRLZ head coach Hubert Busby Jr is set to make changes to his starting lineup for his team’s second international friendly against Peru today, featuring a mix of young and experienced players.

In their first game on Sunday, the Reggae Girlz had defeated Peru 2-0 thanks to goals from Jody Brown and Kayla McKenna.

It was the team’s first win against a South American opponent since 2022 when they had defeated Paraguay 1-0 at the Catherine Hall Sports Complex.

Heading into the second game, Busby said he will be making changes in the starting lineup to ensure the young players in the squad have a chance to take to the field.

“I think you can definitely expect to see a lot of changes in the squad and possibly some tweaks to the way we play formation wise based on the personnel that we’d want to implement,” he stated in a pre-match press conference on Monday.

“Again, it’s really about giving a lot of these young players an opportunity in terms of what it looks like in terms of international football.”

However, Busby stated it is also important for the team to find the right balance between young players and their more experienced teammates.

He explained the younger players will need the presence of their senior teammates to guide them in navigating the demands of international football.

“What we have to be very cautious about as well is that you don’t throw too many young players in all at once. They need some steady hands around them to kind of get through the difficult moments when we are suffering and things aren’t going our way,” he said.

“Overall, like we’ve kind of alluded to, everyone is going to get a chance to have some minutes during the next game, so we’re really excited about that and we’re really excited to see how some of these players step up.”

Despite the expected changes to the lineup, Busby said the team’s expectations have not changed and the players will be going for the win.

Having seen what the Peruvians have to offer, Jamaica will be looking to press their opponents early.

“Winning is a habit and we’re here to win football matches and that is contagious and that is a part of our DNA,” he said.

“That is one of the reasons why you balance out your squad because some of the veterans are leading those players, not just in training, but out on the pitch as well about what’s required to win a football match.”

“Our goal tomorrow is to go out there again and play on the front foot and to start off the way we did. That was the game plan in terms of how we go about the match. The last two sessions was bout how we can take the game to the opposition and win the match early and try to manage the game.”

Jamaica will take on the South Americans at the Miguel Grau Stadium in Lima, Peru, with kickoff time slated for 4 p.m.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com