GRENOBLE, France — Support continues to flow in for Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz as they prepare to launch a last ditch effort against Australia to extend their debut campaign here at the Fifa Women’s World Cup.

This time, former Reggae Boyz striker Deon Burton threw out a short motivational video to the Girlz ahead of their final Group C game against the Matildas at Stade des Alpes today at 9:00 pm (2:00 pm Jamaica time).

Despite being at the foot of the group without a point, the Reggae Girlz stand a marginal chance of progressing to the Round of 16, but to do so, they would have to beat Australia (three points) by five or more clear goals to snap up at least one of the best four third place spots. Group leaders Italy (six points) and second-placed Brazil (three points) will do battle in the other group game.

The Girlz current position is by virtue of their 0-3 and 0-5 loss to both Brazil and Italy. However, Burton in his video reminded the Hue Menzies-coached team of the Reggae Boyz feat during their debut campaign here in France 21 years ago.

Back then the Reggae Boyz lost 1-3 to Croatia and 0-5 to Argentina, but bounced back for an historic 2-1 victory over Japan to close their campaign on a high.

“Okay so there was a little blip against Italy, so what, we had a little blip against Argentina but what did we do the next game, we went out and beat Japan. Stay focused you can do it today against Australia,” the England-born Burton shared before ending by lauding the Reggae Boyz on their 3-2 defeat of Honduras in their historic Gold Cup opener at the National Stadium on Monday. 

Sherdon Cowan