MONTEGO BAY, St James – The stage for Jamaica’s historic run to the knock-out stages of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia/New Zealand was set at the pre-tournament camp in Amsterdam, argues Team Manager Crystal Walters.

The Reggae Girlz had a final camp in Amsterdam on their way to their second-consecutive appearance in the World Cup and Walters, who returned with local-based members of the team on Friday, said the foundation was laid then.

Jamaica won one game, beating Panama 1-0, and drew the other two against highly rated France and Brazil, both 0-0 to advance from Group F, the first Jamaican team to do so and second from the Caribbean, after Cuba in the 1938 men’s World Cup.

“It started from that camp we had in Amsterdam [as] that was like the icing on the cake for us,” the former Reggae Girl told the Jamaica Observer.

“Yeah, the team spirit, the bonding, everything was just sealed from there.

“What adidas did for us in Amsterdam set the pace for us, set the momentum for us going into Australia and we took it game by game, you know, training by training,” she said.

“And with that major accomplishment with drawing against France, that set another tone for the team and built another level of confidence for these ladies to go for more; they were hungry and it showed in their performance at the 2023 Women’s World Cup,” said Walters.

Jamaica scored just one goal, but more importantly, did not concede in all three group games before losing 0-1 to Colombia in the round of 16.

“Listen, it’s more than than just the one goal. We have only conceded one, yes, but what stood out for me is that all three games in that group stage we were amazing and we were able to have the Player of the Game for all three [matches], and that’s the most memorable moment for me and that’s something that will resonate with me for a lifetime.”

After losing all three games in the 2019 World Cup in France, conceding 12 goals in the process, the success of this team, Walters said, will set the platform for further success in years to come.

“A young manager and an experienced team, you cannot expect nothing but greatness going forward,” she said.

While still being surprised by the performance of the Reggae Girlz in Australia/New Zealand, Walters said the influence of the late Jean Nelson, whom she succeeded as team manager and “senior Reggae Boyz Manager Roy Simpson, who have been guiding me”, said it was sill surreal.

“I wasn’t expecting this accomplishment and that I would be a be a part of it,” she admitted. “You know this because there were challenges along the way, but we still pressed on and you know, made it worthwhile, another historic moment for Jamaica. And it is a truly amazing feeling to be a Jamaican,” Walters beamed.

She said she was expecting an official celebration to give the country a chance to show their appreciation.

“I’m looking forward, you know, to the support, the love from here [Jamaica]. Probably a celebration, you know, but the celebration won’t be effective unless the entire team is here. We’ll gather here again in September for the Olympics play-offs, so I’m looking forward for something bigger when the team is here,” Walters ended.