Women’s U-20 Update: Jamaica defeat Puerto Rico 2-1 to reach CFU final
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Jamaica advanced to the CONCACAF stage of Women’s Under-20 World Cup qualifying after clipping Puerto Rico 2-1 in Wednesday’s semi-final match of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) tournament at the Stade Sylvio Cator.
Newly arrived striker Simone Wark put Jamaica into the lead in the third minute. As a pulsating battle unfolded, the impressive Deneisha Blackwood fired in a second in the 64th minute after a crafty solo run.
Puerto Rico made the Jamaicans sweat when Alejandra Carrion halved the deficit in the 83rd minute. Despite some nervous moments near the end, Jamaica, playing without top player and captain Khadija Shaw due to injury, held on for the win.
At the time of posting, the hosts Haiti and Trinidad & Tobago were locked in battle in the second semi-final at the venue.
Jamaica will face the winners of that game in Friday’s final, while Puerto Rico will take on the loser to determine the third and final CFU qualifier to the CONCACAF Round in Honduras in December.
Sanjay Myers
