For young Jamaican female footballers Abigail Mullings and Crichell Reid, the Reggae Girlz’s performance at the ongoing FIFA World Cup has had a profound impact on them and they are even more motivated to work harder in mastering their craft.

The Reggae Girlz created history at the World Cup on Wednesday by becoming the first Caribbean nation to qualify for the round of 16 of the tournament after their 0-0 draw against Brazil.

After conceding 12 goals and scoring one in their Women’s World Cup debut in 2019, Jamaica shut out France, Panama and Brazil in consecutive games to book an improbable place in the tournament’s knockout stage.

In fact, the Jamaicans recorded their first-ever victory at the tournament when they defeated Panama 1-0 last Saturday. It’s the first time since 1995 that Brazil have failed to advance out of the group stage.

Mullings, 20, has represented Jamaica at the Under-15 and Under-17 levels, and according to her, the Girlz’s performance has given her a lot of self-belief that one day she, too, could represent the country at the World Cup.

“I am super elated because there are no words to explain how I am feeling about it. I was watching a match and I was saying to myself that ‘this can’t be Jamaica playing’ because it was so unreal,” said Mullings.

“I know that this will also inspire my teammates at the Ballaz Academy and more girls in Jamaica because we have a lot of talent here, but we just want the opportunity to go out and showcase our talent on the international stage.

“I have played at the junior level before and I still have hope that I can make it to the senior level one day, and this performance from the ladies has further enhanced my ambitions to work a lot harder in training,” Mullings stated.

Mullings, who is an attacking midfielder, represents the Ballaz Academy in the Reinas Cup competition. The former Wolmer’s Girls student pointed out that she is impressed with the Reggae Girlz work ethic on the field because they have shown a lot of guts and determination at the tournament, hence the reason why they are yet to concede a goal from their three matches so far.

“This has inspired me to keep moving forward and become one of these Jamaican players and even to play for a professional club overseas. I am feeling very good as a young Jamaican football player knowing that they have made it past the group stage and they are now in the next round of the competition,” she stated.

“Our defence has been rock solid and I love the way that we have played together as a team because everyone is covering for each other all the time,” Mullings ended.

Reid, 17, who is central defender for Next Generation Academy, said the Girlz at this World Cup has had a very positive impact on her career because it has motivated her to push harder in her career.

“It has inspired me a lot because as football players here [in Jamaica] we don’t get enough exposure and we don’t get enough support from our people, and just seeing that we made history by not only getting our first win, but also moving into the knockout round has inspired me a lot,” said Reid.

“I do believe that will help to boost my career because as young girls you have seen your idols on the field creating history, and it makes you want to do the same,” she added.

The Reggae Girlz, Japan and Switzerland are the only teams in the competition that are yet to concede a goal at the tournament and Reid sees this is a big plus.

“I am feeling very good about our defence because the two Swaby sisters [Allyson and Chantelle] have been the backbone of the backline and there is nothing that can past them [as] they are always the first ones to go after the ball,” Reid said.