WOMEN’S U-20 UPDATE: Injured Shaw to miss Puerto Rico clash
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – If Jamaica are to get into the final of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Women’s Under-20 tournament they will have to do it without inspirational Captain Khadija Shaw who is forced out due to injury.
The Hue Menzies-coached Young Reggae Girlz square off with Puerto Rico in Wednesday’s opening semi-final, set to start at 3:00 pm Jamaica time.
In the other match, Trinidad & Tobago clash with hosts Haiti in a scheduled 6:00 pm kick-off.
The midfielder, who has scored four goals in the tournament, sustained a knock in the right knee during Monday’s final Group B game against Trinidad & Tobago and was limping by the final whistle.
The team’s physiotherapist Ronnet Scarlet has been working to reduce pain and swelling in the affected area. Up to this morning, she was observed working on Shaw’s knee as other players had penalty-kick practice.
Scarlet confirmed that Shaw is out due to a “minor” injury and told OBSERVER ONLINE that the player “should be ready for the game on Friday”. The physio added that the pain and swelling have been significantly reduced.
The wide attacker Deneisha Blackwood is expected to fill in for Shaw in midfield. The speedy Rena Gordon, who has generally come off the bench late in games, is likely to step into Blackwood’s position. Central defender Konya Plummer will take the captain’s armband.
One change was already forced on the Jamaicans with central defender Tarania Clarke out on suspension due to picking up yellow cards in two games during the group stage.
Carlletia Savizon, the regular starting midfielder, is in line to fill that void at the back. Rasha Roberts, who missed the last game due to an ankle ailment, has recovered and is set to play in midfield.
Jamaica also welcomes to the starting line-up forward Simone Wark, who arrived in Haiti on Tuesday from the University of South Carolina.
Should Jamaica defeat Puerto Rico, they will advance to the final and automatically qualify for the CONCACAF Round in Honduras in December. If they lose, they will contest the third- and fourth-place play-off, with the winner progressing to the CONCACAF stage.
Starting XI – Ricquelle Farquharson, Shanhaine Nelson, Konya Plummer, Carlletia Savizon, Felicia Davidson, Rasha Roberts, Deneisha Blackwood, Asheina Nelson, Jessica Johnson, Simone Wark, Rena Gordon.
Sanjay Myers
