Jamaica meet US in Junior Pan Am Champs
JAMAICA will likely play their second toughest match at the 7th Women’s Junior Pan Am Championships in Guadalajara, Mexico this morning at 10:45 when they tackle defending champions United States in their fifth and final Pool B preliminary match of the hockey tournament.
With only one win from four matches, having lost their third match 4-0 to Venezuela on Saturday, the Dr Michelle Holt-coached girls will at least try to limit the Americans to a five-goal margin.
The US are in second-place in Pool B with nine points from four games, their only defeat coming from Chile who defeated them 2-1 on Saturday. Unbeaten Chile lead the group with maximum 12 points, winning all four games, and will take on Trinidad & Tobago in their final fixture today at 2:15 pm.
Jamaica defeated Paraguay 2-0 for their only win in Mexico so far. T&T and Chile earlier posted 3-0 and 10-0 wins over the Demi Nicholson-led girls.
In Pool A, Argentina remain the only team with a 100 per cent win record to lead with nine points, two ahead of Uruguay (two wins, one draw), while Canada are in third place at four points.
Meanwhile, at the 10th Men’s Junior Pan Am Championships, also being held in Guadalajara, Mexico, Jamaica will play their fourth and final preliminary match when the Aubyn Ferguson-coached guys battle Guyana today at 9:00 am. The Kemar Mitchell-led team just failed to record their first win of the competition after drawing 0-0 with Brazil on Saturday.
Jamaica are in fourth place in Pool A with one point, after defending champions and unbeaten Argentina, nine points, T&T six points, and Brazil four points.
Canada have taken charge of Pool B where they are undefeated with nine points, three ahead of second-placed Mexico, while Uruguay are in third place with three points.
Pool C has unbeaten United States on nine points, way ahead of second-placed Chile who are on four points.
Jamaica’s Under-21 female team appears on course to contest the 9-11 positions, while their male counterparts look set to fight for the 11-12th position.
The championships will end on September 23.
