PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica will meet in a highly anticipated match-up for group honours in the CFU Under-20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers at the Marvin Lee Stadium this evening, starting at 6:15 (5:15 Jamaica time).

In the opening game, Cuba play St Kitts and Nevis at 4:00.

Both Jamaica and T&T are through to the Concacaf round set for January in Guatemala after victories over Cuba and St Kits & Nevis.

But after losing a three-game friendly series to the Reggae Girlz earlier this year, Trinidad coach Jamaal Shabaaz is eager to avenge those defeats and has likened the rivalry between the regional giants to the infamous Gaza/Gully feud.

“Since we’ve been to Jamaica we’ve worked hard on physical fitness and now we’re much fitter, but we’re still adjusting to the new style from our new technical director, which is more direct way to play,” Shabaaz said.

“We Know the situation when Jamaica and Trinidad meet, whether it’s Under-17 Boys or Under-20 Girls, or Seniors; whether it’s a dog from Trinidad and dog from Jamaica, it’s always a Gully/Gaza situation,”

he added.

“For us it’s very important as we lost three times to Jamaica and pride is at stake because we’re in front of our home crowd and we want to win this game,” he stated.

However, Jamaica’s coach Vin Blaine believes his counterpart has exaggerated the magnitude of today’s meeting between the rivals.

‘I don’t think it’s as serious as the Gaza/Gully thing, but I understand what he’s trying to say. We’ve defeated him three times already and he wants to prove something at home,” Blaine countered.

After watching the Trinidadians play, Blaine is convinced their team is not much difference from that which the Jamaicans met in June. He however insists the Reggae Girlz must “turn up” for the game.

Cognisant that the girls have not performed impressively in their first two matches, Blaine believes playing their top rivals should be motivation to lift their game.

“We haven’t looked particularly well, but this is the time we have to step up and play a good game and I have a feeling that we’re going to play well,” he said.

“We defeated them three times at home, and now that they are home they are going to come at us, but it’s another game that we have to win because we came here to win three games, and that’s what we intend to do,” he added.

At training at the St Mary’s College grounds yesterday, Blaine rehearsed defensive tactics with the team and believes they are prepared for today’s encounter.

Meanwhile, Shabaaz says the teams are evenly matched and he thinks the game could be won on the individual brilliance of some players like Jamaica’s Teashian Thomas.

Meanwhile, young Trudi Carter, who celebrated her 16th birthday on Wednesday, will get her first start for Jamaica, and Blaine expects the talented midfielder to make the difference he has been yearning for.

Shushana Dobson, who sat out the second game, will resume her place in central defence alongside Zovel Hyre, and with Shanise Foster doing exceptionally well in her new position at right-back, Blaine is confident that the Jamaicans are now a better team.