Head Coach Hubert Busby is expecting a strong performance from the Jamaica senior Reggae Girlz as they take on Caribbean rivals Trinidad and Tobago in an international friendly match at Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on Tuesday.

The match, which is slated to begin at 7:00 pm (Jamaica time), will serve as a vital warm-up for both teams ahead of the Concacaf Women’s World Cup qualifiers, is to start in November.

Busby said that while he is confident that his team will deliver a positive showing against Trinidad and Tobago, he is using it as an opportunity to refine his team’s tactical plans.

“Training this week has gone well. The work rate, focus, and overall approach to this match have been very good. Expectations remain the same: We want to deliver a positive performance. We’ve been working hard to improve our possession and win transition moments,” Busby told the Jamaica Observer.

The Reggae Girlz are to face Trinidad and Tobago without several key players due to injuries. Ace goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer, Atlanta Primus, Vyan Sampson, and Shania Hayles will miss the match, adding to the list of absentees that already includes Khadija Shaw, Drew Spence, and Trudi Carter.

Mia Mitchell, Lola Nesbeth, Serena Mensa, and Ricshya Walker have been called up to the squad, replacing recent injured players.

With these senior players out, the Jamaica coach will rely on his veteran players to to guide the younger ones during the match.

“With some senior pros missing due to injuries sustained last week we will need our veteran players to guide our younger ones during the match. With that said, some of the younger players have performed admirably this week during training and we have no doubt that if called upon they will put in a solid performance,” he explained.

This match promises to be an intense encounter between two Caribbean powerhouses. The Reggae Girlz will aim to exploit Trinidad and Tobago’s weaknesses and make a strong statement ahead of the qualifiers. Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago will be looking to cause an upset and boost their confidence. In their last meeting in 2018 Jamaica secured a 4-1 victory.

“As a team we know that Trinidad is our biggest rival in the Caribbean. The match will be anything but a friendly. They are another ranked team heading into the World Cup qualifiers next month, and we approach the game with the respect it warrants,” Busby said.

“This is our final match before the qualifiers next month. As mentioned, we are approaching it seriously because it provides us with the opportunity to refine our tactical plans ahead of the match against Dominica next month,” he ended.

Trinidad and Tobago have finalised a 24-player squad for their international friendly against Jamaica Reggae Girlz. The team is currently under the guidance of Damian Briggs and Densill Theobald, following the resignation of Head Coach Angus Eve.

In the upcoming Concacaf Women’s World Cup Qualifiers Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz are set to battle in Group B alongside Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Guyana, and Nicaragua. Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago should face stiff competition in Group F, which also comprises Barbados, El Salvador, and Honduras.

The Reggae Girlz will be looking to building on their momentum from the previous two FIFA World Cup tournaments. After making their debut in 2019, where they lost all three group games, they improved significantly in 2023. In the 2023 World Cup Jamaica’s team advanced to the last 16 after securing a 1-0 win over Panama and holding both France and Brazil to draws. This marked a historic achievement for the team and Jamaican football. With the 2027 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, the Reggae Girlz are looking to continue their progress and make a deeper impact on the global stage.

SQUADS: Jamaica — Sydney Schneider, Tiffany Cameron, Gabrielle Gayle, Tianna Harris, Konya Plummer, Allyson Swaby, Chantelle Swaby, Olufolasade Adamolekun, Deniesha Blackwood, Israela Groves, Jaileah McPherson, Jody Brown, Njeri Butts, Kayla McKenna, Natasha Thomas, Kaylissa Van Zanten, Mia Mitchell, Lola Nesbeth, Serena Mensa, and Ricshya Walker.

Trinidad and Tobago — Nicolette Craig, Keri Myers, Tenesha Palmer, Jade Bekai, Kaitlyn Darwent, Karyn Forbes, Shaunalee Govia, Kedie Johnson, Chrissy Mitchell, Javana Moreno, Tamara Smart, Victoria Swift, Alexcia Ali, Maria-Frances Serrant, Naomie Guerra, Shurella Mendez, Shenieka Paul, Tori Paul, Chelcy Ralph, Kennya Cordner, Afiyah Cornwall, Nikita Gosine, Tyeisha Griffith, and Aaliyah Prince.

BUSBY… some of the younger players have performed admirably this week during training and we have no doubt that if called upon they will put in a solid performance

Jamaica’s Jody Brown (left) and Colombia’s Ana Guzman fight for the ball during the FIFA Women’s World Cup round of 16 football match at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, also known as AAMI Park, in Australia on August 8, 2023. (Photo: AFP)

Jamaica’s Deneisha Blackwood (right) evades a challenge from Jenelle Cunningham of Trinidad and Tobago during the Concacaf Caribbean Women’s Qualifier inside the National Stadium on August 31, 2018. Jamaica won 4-1. (Photo: Observer file)