Despite another lopsided loss to hosts Brazil in the second friendly international played in front of a massive crowd at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador on Tuesday, the Jamaica senior women’s football team Head Coach Hubert Busby says he saw improvements.

The 0-4 defeat followed a similar scoreline to the first game at Arena Pernambuco in Recife on Saturday.

Busby said it was a learning process for the younger players.

Jamaica conceded three goals in the last 25 minutes in the match on Tuesday as Jheniffer daSilva Cordinali Gouveia came off the bench to score twice in the second half and superstar Marta scored a brilliant free kick to wrap up the scoring.

Debinha had opened the scoring early in the contest.

Jamaica appeared to have scored the first goal of the game but it was ruled that a player who was not involved in the goal was offside. Jamaica’s midfielder Kayla McKenna came closest to scoring when she hit the left post in the second half.

“You know, one of the things that we spoke about last match was improving our performance and I definitely was pleased with how we came to approach this game,” Busby said during a press conference after the game.

“Obviously [it was] not the result that we wanted… but overall the challenge was the same: to compete and show a better performance and they did that tonight.”

Jamaica made four changes to the team that began the first game, including starts for veteran defender Allyson Swaby, who lasted all of 50 minutes before being substituted, and striker Jody Brown.

Unlike the first game during which they failed to record a shot on goal, the Jamaicans had four attempts on Tuesday.

“It’s a testament to how far we’ve come. But I know the group and [Jamaica Football] Federation isn’t satisfied. We want to go even further and so it’s very important that we play these games. You want to play tier one games, top teams, top 10, top 20 because that’s the only way you’re going to grow… it’s always a measuring stick to find out where you are and how far you need to go to be the best,” Busby said

Jamaica played the two-match friendly series without regular captain and top striker Khadija “Bunny” Shaw who is recovering from a broken leg suffered while playing for English club Manchester City.

The head coach said while her presence was missed, it also allowed others to stake their claims.

“Yeah, obviously we miss Bunny, every team would miss Bunny Shaw and obviously we look forward to bringing her back in as she gives us a different dimension in attack.

“We definitely could have used her but it gives some opportunities for some young players to play and they’ve been able to step up. I thought Kayla and the younger players came in [and] did a really good job. So yes, we missed her, there is no doubt we missed Bunny. But again, it gave an opportunity for some young players to get some valuable minutes in a great environment,” he said.

Jamaica featured at back-to-back FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2019 and 2023.

Busby noted the country’s women’s football has come a far way in the last five years, underlined by the invitation to play two games against Brazil’s national side.

“I said to the group a couple of days ago, think about 2019 to think about the idea that Brazil is inviting us to, to play in these matches. It’s a huge testament to the programme and for us to be playing in these games is great. That wouldn’t have happened four years ago,” he said.