After Jamaica’s record-breaking 18-0 win over Dominica in Group B action in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifier, Coach Hubert Busby naturally praised his team’s business-like performance. But, according to him, all eyes are now locked on Nicaragua in March 2026 as the senior Reggae Girlz hunt a third-straight appearance and the global showpiece.

“The focus [for] the entire week was making sure that we got the three points from the Dominica’s game. On top of that, we wanted to build on our performance and credit to the players. They went out there and had a business performance and obviously led by our captain [Khadija Shaw],” Busby said during a post-match press conference.

Jamaica’s win at Daren Sammy Cricket Stadium in St Lucia on Saturday propelled them to the top of the table with three points – tied with Nicaragua, but boasting a superior goal difference. Nicaragua, meanwhile, eye a pole position shift when they face hosts Guyana at Leonora National Track and Field Centre in West Coast Demerara this evening.

Busby said the Reggae Girlz have their attention on the next target.

“Right now our only focus is on Nicaragua. That’s next the game up, match day two and that’s our focus. This [match versus Dominica] is done and obviously we will enjoy it with the group this evening and then come tomorrow we turn the page and our focus is on Nicaragua on March 2.

“That’s the approach that we’ve been taking and that’s the approach these players have. We are not looking past anything other than getting to Managua and not just obviously getting the performance but making sure we get a good win as well.” Busby added.

The game, it wasn’t a contest, it was clinical dismantling, cementing the Jamaicans favourites’ status in Group B.

The scoreline smashed Jamaica’s previous FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifier record of 14-0 against St Lucia in 2014 — a thunderous statement of intent.

The match began with a jolt, as defender and former Captain Konya Plummer struck in the second minute, a lightning bolt that echoed Dominica’s impending doom. It was her first goal for Jamaica since August 2018 against Bermuda.

The floodgates opened, and the goals flowed like a crimson tide. Captain and ace striker Khadija “Bunny” Shaw sliced through defences with precision, netting a hat-trick (fourth, 39th, and 43rd minutes). With those goals, the Manchester striker recorded her 60th international goal for Jamaica.

Kalyssa Van Zanten was a whirlwind, blitzing a hat-trick in the seventh, 21st, and 26th minutes that left Dominica reeling as speed, skill, and savagery merged into a deadly cocktail. Jody Brown joined the carnage, her unstoppable movement also yielding a hat-trick of her own. She scored in the ninth, 35th, and 81st minutes.

At half-time, the scoreboard read 10-0, and Dominica’s dreams lay shattered. The second half was more of the same, as Deneisha Blackwood, a wall-turned-menace, doubled down (51st and 89th minutes). Substitutes burst onto the scene like wildfire, scorching Dominica’s fragile resolve. Natasha Thomas (86th and 88th minutes) struck twice in two minutes, pure impact. Shaneil Buckley (81st and 90+2 minutes) finished with flair, while Atlanta Primus (12th minute) and Shania Hayles (90+1 minute) added exclamation points. The final whistle blew, and the Reggae Girlz celebrated, their fury unleashed, and their legacy rewritten.

“The standard has been set and we come out here and we want to ensure that in each and every performance when these players put on their shirts, they know what’s expected. I am really pleased with the young ones who’ve come on as well in this game in terms of understanding what’s required of them as well. Overall, it was a really good business trip and we came here to make sure we got the three points,” Busby said.

Busby sees improvement potential despite the landslide win.

“I think obviously when you started to get up in the game, the rhythm of the tempo slows down a bit and so it’s a little bit normal but I would say for the first 15 and 20 minutes it was really good,” he said.

“As you continue and the scoreline increases, the levels naturally sort of drops and the intensity drop off but I think overall when wanted to with speed, a tempo, and rhythm and so at times during the games those things naturally drop. Not so much as a criticism but we want to able to play at a certain level throughout 90 minutes but overall it was really a good performance,” Busby said.

BUSBY… we turn the page and our focus is on Nicaragua on March 2 (Photo: Observer file)

In this April 12, 2022 file photo, Jamaica’s Jody Brown (foreground) gets the ball ahead of Dominican Republic defender Giovanna Dionicio during the Women’s World Cup qualifying Group C contest at Sabina Park in Kingston. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

Jamaica’s Kalyssa Van Zanten brings the ball under control during the Cup of Nations encounter against Czech Republic at CommBank Stadium in Australia on Saturday, February 18, 2023.

In this July 4, 2022 file photo, Jamaica’s Khadija Shaw (foreground) and Mexico’s Rebeca Bernal vie for the ball during the Concacaf Women’s Championship football match at Universitario Stadium in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon State, Mexico. (Photo: AFP)