VINIMORE “Vin” Blaine is just four games into his tenure as interim head coach of Jamaica’s senior Reggae Girlz team and for him, things are already falling into place on the World Cup qualifying trail.

In fact, when he took over from Hubert Busby at short notice late last year, Blaine boldy declared an intention to stamp his mark on the team by the end of the first phase.

But while their four victories and the much-improved performances against Cayman Islands and Dominican Republic, in particular, warrant the term “Mission accomplished”, the veteran coach is cognisant that their real challenge lies ahead in the July 4-18 Concacaf Women’s Championship in Mexico.

The 51st-ranked Girlz will have to contend with top-ranked teams United States and Canada as well as the host nation, plus Costa Rica, Panama, Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago, for one of four spots to the Fifa Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next year.

“There was recruitment and good recruitment, and I can’t take credit for that. For me, it was just about stamping my style of system on the team — and it wasn’t hard because we have some really good players,” admitted Blaine.

“We did what we had to in the first phase but it is no secret that we have more work to do. So what is important is for us to now build on the positives of especially the last two performances so we can keep playing well and become more technically sound with our pressing,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

Blaine, who has come close on a few occasions to navigating Jamaica’s female footballers to the World Cup on previous coaching stints, is determined to see the team through to its objective of achieving the great repeat on this occasion.

American-based Hue Menzies and assistants Lorne Donaldson and Andrew Price have the distinction of leading the historic qualification to France 2019.

“We know it won’t be easy but we are determined to make it happen, and so we will put in the necessary work to ensure we are competitive in Mexico. We were slow out of the blocks in the first window of games but in Mexico we won’t have that luxury, so we have to ensure that we are ready going in [so as] to finish first or second in the group to go through to the World Cup,” Blaine reasoned.

Though the draw will be conducted on Tuesday, Blaine’s side is certain to face one of the two top-ranked teams in United States or Canada, both of whom are shoo-ins to win their respective groups.

With that in mind, the tactician said the focus will be on the next two opponents.

“Once I know who we are going up against, I can then look about practice games to prepare for those teams. We want a good draw. To be honest, I don’t want Mexico because they will be at home and the third man in the stands might work for them. But, I am definitely anticipating the draw and for our girls to give a good account of themselves,” he said.

Having done outstanding foundational work on building out the women’s programme, Blaine is no stranger to the core of the now-star-studded Reggae Girlz team. But with a few new additions plus those to return, he admits he has his hands full where selection is concerned.

Chelsea’s Drew Spence and Liverpool’s Jade Bailey are expected to be cleared by Fifa in time for this summer’s tournament, while the possibility exists that World Cup scorer Havana Solaun, Deneisha Blackwood and Giselle Washington could also return for the qualification bid.

“As you can see the squad is a very deep one so it is going to be tough to decide who goes, especially in the midfield, but it’s good that we can have a deep bench to bring in players and rest players as we go along,” Blaine noted.

“But they are all important players and I want to ensure that they all feel that way. But more importantly, we have to put in the hard work as a team and build our chemistry. We are already off to a good start and, as I said, it is important that we continue in that vein.

“So, we will be having practice games and seeking a few camps to see if we can get opponents with a similar playing style to those who we will be drawn against,” he ended.