COUVA, Trinidad & Tobago — Jamaica missed numerous chances but still handsomely defeated pesky Puerto Rico 4-1 in yesterday’s Women’s Caribbean Cup game at the Ato Boldon Stadium here. Prolific striker Shakira Duncan scored in the 34th and 51st minutes for the Reggae Girlz.

Donna-Kay Henry, from a sixth-minute penalty, and Nicole Campbell-Green (47th), supported with the other goals for Jamaica.

Laura Suarez temporarily equalised for the Puerto Ricans in the 25th minute of play.

Puerto Rico went down to 10 players in the 62nd minute when Delyaliz Rosario was sent off for a second bookable offence. She was first cautioned in the fifth minute after conceding the penalty.

Jamaica’s head coach Merron Gordon lamented the “jittery start” at all areas of the park, but said his team was “way better in the second half”.

In damp conditions caused by intermittent showers before and during the encounter, Jamaica went on the front foot early and scored from Henry’s well-placed penalty kick.

The opportunity was created by debutante Shaneka Gordon, who was tripped inside the box after winning the rebound after her close-range shot hit the upright seconds earlier.

The usually clinical Alexa Allen hit the upright in the 13th minute from an acute angle and the Jamaicans were made to pay.

Puerto Rico equalised 12 minutes later when a straightforward, long range free-kick eluded the defence and goalkeeper Nicole McClure and bounced into the goal.

Duncan put the Jamaicans back in front in the 34th with a fine solo effort, dismissing two defenders and then knocking home from the rebound after the Puerto Rican ‘keeper saved her initial attempt.

Nicole Campbell-Green cracked home a sweet right-footed effort in the 47th minute and the slippery Duncan notched her second after rounding a defender four minutes later as the Jamaicans took charge.

The Reggae Girlz continued to dominate and could have won by a wider margin, if not for faulty shooting and the solid goalkeeping of Puerto Rico’s Karly Gustafson.

Jamaica next face Bermuda tomorrow, while Puerto Rico will play Haiti.