Big 5-0 victory for Jamaica

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica's young Reggae Girlz and their Trinidad and Tobago counterparts booked their passage to the final round of qualifiers for next year's World Cup after blanking Guyana and The Bahamas in their Under-17 women's Caribbean Football Union World Cup final-round encounters yesterday at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.

Jamaica romped to a 5-0 victory over Guyana while Trinidad and Tobago defeated Bahamas 3-0.

Shantel Bailey scored a spectacular hat-trick to lead Jamaica to victory; netting in the 35th, 81st and 85th minutes. The other goals came from Tiffany Robinson (43rd) and Nichole Broderick (73rd).

The scoreline could have been even more impressive, but Jamaica's captain and goalkeeper, Chris-Ann Chambers, saw her 90th-minute penalty kick rebound off the right upright. The penalty was awarded after Guyana's vice-captain Sara Vaughan upended Bailey in the area. Vaughan was red carded for the infringement.

Despite the big scoreline Jamaica's coach, Vin Blaine, was not pleased with the team's overall showing.

"I am glad for the win, but I think we still have some work to do ... we have to start playing more like a team, a lot of individual play has taken over and we have to correct that very quickly."

For the Trinidadians, Jonelle Warrick scored in the fourth minute and again in added time. Trinidad and Tobago's other goal was netted by Khadidra Debesette in the 13th minute.

Final round

The Bahamas and Guyana, both without a point and yet to score a goal, will do battle in the final round of games on Saturday at the same venue for the right to complete the Caribbean trio that will progress.

Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, who lead the group by virtue of a superior goal difference, will meet to determine group honours.

The Caribbean representatives will be joined by Canada, the United States of America, Mexico, Panama or Costa Rica, and hosts Guatemala in the final round, which will see three teams advancing to next year's FIFA Women's Under-17 World Cup Finals tournament to be staged in Azerbaijan in November.