AS Jamaica’s senior Reggae Girlz prepare to face off against world number 10 France on Friday, Head Coach Hubert Busby’s focus extends far beyond the upcoming friendly match.

The highly anticipated match is to be played at Stade Auguste-Bonal in eastern France. Kick-off is scheduled for 2:05 pm Jamaica time.

“The expectation really is for us to continue to work on our playing model,” Busby explained.

“I think it’s important for us to also continue to build on our playing principles so that we can ensure that we’re flexible, in and out of possession. We want to be a team that continues to use and has been known for a good defensive base,” he added.

The matchup marks the first meeting between the teams since the pulsating encounter during the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia which ended 0-0. The result gave the Reggae Girlz their first-ever point at a World Cup.

However, Busby knows that this contest will be vastly different from the World Cup showdown.

“In football no two matches are alike and so this game against France will be completely different from the one that was played in the World Cup,” Busby reasoned.

The World Cup had provided an extensive build-up, allowing teams to fine-tune their strategies and prepare for specific opponents. But this time, Busby said the landscape is different.

“First and foremost, there isn’t really a four- or five-week launch heading into that where all teams were kind of prepared going into a World Cup. They had time to work together on specific things. Everyone knew who their opponents were in advance, so that obviously helped.

“This is slightly, a little bit, different. Players have just started this season; people are just coming into a playing rhythm. And then for us going in with essentially what is three, four days of training, max, it’ll again present the challenge.”

Despite these challenges, Busby remains optimistic.

“But we’ll have to be able to implement a lot of the solid foundations that are there, and as we look to evolve the team heading into next year we’ll look to implement a few others. So, yeah, it’ll be a completely different application going in. Similar to [Jamaica], I’m sure France will have a different sort of application for themselves, with the Euros in the summer of 2025 for them in mind.”

While acknowledging the importance of results in senior international play, Busby stressed the bigger picture.

“Results are crucial in senior international play but our main goal is to be successful in the World Cup qualifiers next year. We’re working towards being ready for that first round in October 2025,” Busby said confidently.

The Girlz will be without Manchester City striker Khadija “Bunny” Shaw and defender Konya Plummer for the clash against France. Busby said there were issues with both players’ travel documents.

Given the absent players, Busby sees this as a chance for four newcomers — Taylor Hinds, Lulu Jarvis, Reanna Blades, and Natasha Thomas.

SQUAD

Goalkeepers – Rebecca Spencer and Syndney Scheider

Defenders – Chantelle Swaby, Allyson Sway, Taylor Hinds, Deneisha Blackwood, Vyan Sampson, and Maliah Atkins

Midfielders – Lulu Jarvis, Atlanta Primus, Jade Bailey, Drew Spence, Sade Adamolekun, and Reanna Blades

Forwards – Natasha Thomas, Paige Bailey-Gayle, Kayla McKenna, Jody Brown, Shania Hayles, Tiffany Cameron, Davia Richards, and Mikayla Dayes