TEXAS, United States — Jamaica’s Senior Reggae Girlz were trailing Canada 0-1 at half-time in their opening Concacaf Women’s Championship Group B fixture here at the H.E.B Park.

The Jamaicans who kept the opponents at bay for most of the way, eventually conceded in the 33rd minute when they failed to clear their lines appropriately. This allowed Nichelle Prince to take charge of the loose ball and convert from close range.

Besides that, Canada was hardly offered a clear look at goal until the latter stages of the half when goaltender Sydney Schneider did well to deny Sophie Schmidt’s effort from the top of the 18yard area.

Earlier, Costa Rica came away 8-0 winners over Cuba in the Group B curtain raiser.

Meanwhile, defending champions USA opened their Group A fixture with a 6-0 beating of Mexico, while Panama blanked Trinidad and Tobago 3-0 in Cary, North Carolina on Thursday.

Following the group stage, all matches will be played at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.

The top three teams in the tournament will automatically qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019, with the fourth-placed team having an opportunity to secure qualification through a play-off with Argentina of CONMEBOL.

Sherdon Cowan