In a spirited first-half display, Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz managed to cough up a 1-0 victory over Chile in their friendly international at the National Stadium last night.

Central midfielder Marlo Sweatman got the all-important goal in the ninth minute, when she scored directly from a corner kick.

In a game of two halves, the home team was made to defend stoutly in the latter stages of the contest more than they were required to do in an opening stanza where they took command.

But more than the victory, the Girlz gave glimpses of a team with potential as they never truly seemed in danger of losing the match with their superior athleticism, skills and disciplined play, for the most part.

And, by the reaction, it seemed the local faithful enjoyed the show.

The Fifa World Cup-bound Jamaicans, who are fine-tuning for the big showpiece in France June 7-July 7, will turn their attention to the second encounter of the two-match series against the South Americans in Montego Bay on Sunday.

Jamaica took the lead when Chile conceded a corner kick down their right-side when Deneisha Blackwood’s run down the channel was put behind.

Sweatman came across for the corner and, instead of going for the typical lofted ball in, the Hungary-based midfielder went for a low right-footed drive straight at goal, which crept under goalkeeper Christiane Endler and into the goal.

In the 16th minute, the ever-dangerous Khadija “Bunny” Shaw threatened with the head, but the target was not fully in her sights.

Three minutes later, Shaw’s hammer of a right-foot let fly from 20 yards after making room for herself, but the ball flew inches high of the target.

Chile, who presented the ephemeral threat, got the ball in the Jamaica goal in the 20th minute, but Ambar Soruco’s deflected effort was ruled off-side.

Blackwood, a forward converted into a wingback as coach Hue Menzies continues his experimentation with players, sent Shaw loose down the left flank in minute 25, but the University of Tennessee ace could not deliver the coup de grace.

But from the resulting corner kick, centre back Allyson Swaby came flying in at the far post undetected; however, she couldn’t make contact with Sweatman’s teasing delivery.

And as Jamaica maintained the offensive upper hand, again they threatened through you know who in the 31st minute. Fed through immaculately, Shaw was on cue for a breakaway with Chilean goalie Endler, but the latter puffed up and made herself large, smothering the Jamaican striker’s firm shot from inside the 18-yard box.

The Girlz, chirpy as a songbird on a fine summer’s day, swept forward once again, this time through the busy-as-a-be Chinyelu Asher, who passed elegantly for Cheyna Matthews in the 40th minute.

The winger, in textbook style, cut inside from the right, then back out to create room, then unleashing with venom. But Endler, the Paris Saint-Germain custodian and Chile captain, was again equal to the task, blocking with the feet.

Eight minutes into the second half, the visitors got a glorious chance to get on even terms through Cristina Julio, but her point-blank shot was saved by Nicole McClure.

Shaw, who had a hard toil in search of a goal, came close once again in the 50th with a right-footed curler that forced Endler into a late one-handed parry.

And even though the luck of the flight and bounce of the ball did not favour her for most of the night, Shaw’s spirit and desire never waned.

In a daring midfield rampage in the 73rd minute, the bustling Shaw dribbled through the heart of the Chilean team, cutting in and out to finish off with a blistering shot that missed by mere inches.

Late in the match, when both sides started to introduce numerous players in the practice contest, the game descended into a somewhat ragged contest.

But even so, Jamaica were made to defend to the final play as Chile, in a late rally, tried to salvage something — anything — from the affair. Goalkeeper McClure, particularly, was asked to work over time to keep the pesky South Americans at bay.

Teams

Jamaica — Nicole McClure, Konya Plummer, Allyson Swaby (Chantelle Swaby 90th), Deneisha Blackwwod (Chanel Hudson-Marks 46th), Dominique Bond-Flasza, Marlo Sweatman, Chinyelu Asher (Giselle Washington 70th), Laura Jackson (Oluf Adamolekun 46th), Khadija Shaw (Kayla McKoy 79th), Jody Brown, Cheyna Matthews (Tiffany Cameron 65th).

Sub not used: Sydney Schneider, Cachet Lue, Christina Chang, Sashana Campbell, Chris-Ann Chambers

Booked: McKoy (80th)

Chile – Claudia Soto, Ambar Soruco, Camila Saez (Javiera Toro 79th), Christiane Endler, Cristina Julio (Maria Jose Rojas 48th), Daniela Pardo (Valentina Dia 68th), Francisca Lara (Daniela Zamora 70th), Karen Araya (Natalia Campos 48th), Maryorie Hernandez, Yanara Aedo, Yesentia Huenteo.

Subs not used: Ana Gutierrez, Barbara Santibafiez, Rosario Balmaceda, Yesentia Lopez

Booked: Pardo (16th)

Referee: Crystal Sobers (T&T)

Assistant referees: Deean Foster (Cayman), Danian Williams (Jamaica)

Fourth officials: Odette Hamilton (Jamaica)

Match commissioner: Ewan Scott (Jamaica)