SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras — Jamaica Under-20 Women’s Head Coach Hue Menzies says the decision to arrange a pre-tournament camp in Honduras is already paying dividends.

The Young Reggae Girlz kick off Group A action in the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship against the hosts tomorrow.

But they have been preparing in the Central American country since Saturday, trying to acclimatise.

“I think it was the best choice to come in and get acclimatised,” Menzies told the Jamaica Observer as he watched players being put through their paces by fitness coach Will Hitzelberger at the team’s hotel.

“I feel we’ve made some strides and I think we’ve done well. I think we’ve gone through the phase of them being sore ’cause some are not that fit. But that soreness is gone and they are at the stage to play now, so we’re getting ready for Honduras. It is also a plus that the players haven’t had any problem with the food,” said the head coach.

Over the last few days, temperatures in Honduras have mostly hovered at about 75° Fahrenheit.

Menzies said that has created ideal conditions for practice.

“The weather has been good; it’s not extremely hot and it has been good football conditions,” he explained.

Jamaica are also grouped with Canada and regional rivals Trinidad & Tobago.

Group B comprises United States, Mexico, Panama and Caribbean champions Haiti.

The top three teams at the CONCACAF tournament qualify for the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup to be held in Papua New Guinea scheduled for next November.

— Sanjay Myers