HUGH Bradford, head coach of the Under-17 national women’s team, says that while he would have liked to have spent more time preparing the young Reggae Girlz for today’s Group E encounter against Panama in the Concacaf Under-17 Championship qualifiers, he is optimistic about the girls’ chances.

Sabina Park will host the match at 6:00 pm. Bradford stated that training has gone well, adding that the young Reggae Girlz have responded well to the workouts and are eager to get started.

“The feeling in the camp right now heading into the game is good,” Bradford told the Jamaica Observer.

“There is never enough time. And in terms of preparation, we could have used more. The girls have adjusted well to training and so we are ready for the game. The plan is to go out there and leave it all on the pitch. We expect to give 100 per cent,” the head coach added.

With the absence of both Anguilla and Grenada, Jamaica and Panama are the only teams left in the group, and as a result they are scheduled to play two games to determine the winner. The second game is set for Sunday at 4:00 pm at the same venue.

The remaining five groups will contest their qualifiers between August 26 and September 3, as scheduled.

The six group winners will advance to the 2023 Concacaf Women’s Under-17 Championship, joining the top two-ranked nations, Mexico and the United States, who have been seeded directly into the Championship’s group stage.

Squad: Oliva Ashbourne (Jamaica), Tavia Gayle (Jamaica), Cassandra Smith (Jamaica), Italya Robinson (Jamaica), Destiny Powell (Jamaica), Shauntai Pryce (Jamaica), Danisha Rattray (Jamaica), Shanika Young (Jamaica), Joanna Simpson (Jamaica), Jonnique MacFarlane (Jamaica), Kryshanna Reid (Jamaica), Shanae Ashley (Jamaica), Sajane Anderson (Jamaica), Bella Drummond (USA), Aaliyah Reddick-Allen (Canada), Trinity Cathey (USA), Zarah Williams (USA), Sian Kellier (USA), Phoenix White (USA).