U17 Girlz eliminated from World Cup Qualifiers

The U17 Reggae Girlz have been eliminated from World Cup contention after falling to back-to-back defeats in the Concacaf Women’s U17 Qualifiers after they were clipped 1-0 by Costa Rica yesterday in Group C action.

Costa Rica’s Lucía Paniagua scored the decisive goal in first half added time to ensure Costa Rica remained perfect in the group.

Jamaica, who were recovering from a 9-0 thrashing from Mexico in their last outing, had a much better start this time around as they traded blows with Costa Rica in the opening exchanges.

The Girlz came close to the game’s opener when Tianna’s Grant curling effort in the 21st minute crashed off the bar.

Their resolve broke right before the half-time whistle when Paniagua caught the goalkeeper off-guard with a stunning effort.

Picking up the ball on the edge of the box, the Costa Rican midfielder took little time to let fly a shot that found the top right corner.

She came close to bagging a brace in the second half when she again went searching for the top right corner, this time from a free kick.

However, her effort was blocked by Jamaican custodian Shevinique Barnes.

Khyra Grant had an opportunity for the Girlz two minutes later when she ran free of her marker in the box to meet a set-piece delivery, but her looping header was high of the target.

The Girlz were confident they had found the perfect opportunity to pull level in the dying embers of the game when Elizabeth Miller ran through on goal to face the goalkeeper, but the play was called back as the referee whistled for offside.

That proved the last action of the game as the final whistle came soon after and confirmed the win for Costa Rica.

In the group’s other game, Mexico continued their imperious march through the group as they bagged another big win, thumping Panama 6-1.

With the result, Mexico sit atop Group C with a perfect six points, level with Costa Rica but holds the advantage with a better goal difference.

Panama and Jamaica sit third and fourth respectively, both still winless and without a point.

Jamaica will close out Group C action in a match of academic interest against Panama on Sunday.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com