JAMAICA’S senior women’s football team Head Coach Hubert Busby wore a satisfied smile after his team’s 4-0 thrashing of Antigua and Barbuda, but said the Reggae Girlz still have more to give despite their dominant showing in the Concacaf W Qualifiers at the National Stadium on Friday night.

Jamaica produced a commanding performance, firing 36 shots, 14 on target, as Captain Khadija Shaw led the way with a hat-trick and Deneisha Blackwood added a late penalty to complete the win.

Shaw opened the scoring from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time before adding two more goals early in the second half, finishing from close range in the 49th minute and heading home in the 55th minute. The treble took her tally to 65 goals in 47 appearances for Jamaica.

Blackwood sealed the result with a penalty in the 90+1st minute, her 11th goal for the Reggae Girlz.

Busby said he was pleased with the leadership shown by his captain.

“The best striker in the world plays for us and she was able to take us over the line — not just that, but how she led from the front. And of course Atlanta Primus, obviously the work that she did in the middle of the pitch was unbelievable,” he said.

“In terms of our shape, again, as I stated before, we want to be able to, on home soil, take the game to teams. That shape allows us to be on the front foot and get the best out of the players we have. We were able to create those opportunities and, as I said, we could have finished some but I am really pleased with how the players were able to manage the game for us.”

Busby said the substitutions brought added control in midfield.

Reggae Girl Kameron Simmonds (left) battles with Antigua and Barbuda’s Nicelle Drew during their Group B encounter in the Concacaf W Qualifiers at the National Stadium on Friday night. Naphtali Junior

“As I said to Olufolasade Adamolekun, I thought she had a great first half, and the substitution for Drew Spence was really bringing on an experienced head to play along Atlanta,” he said.

“There’s a relationship there, they understand each other, and we needed that — a little more guile to be able to unlock them a bit. I think, obviously, the inclusion of ‘Mimi’ [Amelia Van Zanten] helped a lot as well.”

He said the team showed resilience despite missed chances and late adjustments.

“I mean, hitting the crossbar six times and of course not hitting the back of the net [was unfortunate] but I keep on saying, that’s football. The last 15 minutes we were playing with 10 men and we managed the game, created opportunities, got a penalty kick, and so again it shows the resiliency of the group,” he said.

“Atlanta Primus is the captain at Southampton, Drew Spence has about 400 or 500 appearances, Becky [Rebecca Spencer] in the back, Allyson Swaby — the team is full of leadership throughout. Again, credit to everyone who really did a good job.”

Busby said the result reflects a collective effort.

“It is a total team performance. We talked about our starters, our finishers, and obviously those who came on obviously impacted the game but also took the game over the line. That’s what it’s going to take, it’s going to take an entire team effort of 23 to 26 players for us to get to this World Cup and be successful,” he said.

Jamaica dominated from the opening whistle, creating several chances inside the first 25 minutes and hitting the woodwork multiple times, including twice by Kalyssa Van Zanten.

Shaw came close in the 18th minute but her effort was saved by Benna Girls goalkeeper Anik Jarvis.

The breakthrough came in first-half stoppage time when Atlanta Primus was brought down in the box by Kai Jacobs, and Shaw calmly converted the resulting penalty to give Jamaica a 1-0 lead at the break.

Shaw extended the lead early in the second half, finishing from close range after turning her defender before completing her hat-trick with a diving header, both goals assisted by Van Zanten.

Blackwood then converted late from the penalty spot to complete the scoring.

Jamaica lead the group on maximum nine points from three games, ahead of Nicaragua and Guyana who both have six points. Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica are yet to register a point, with Dominica having played two games.

Jamaica will next face Guyana at the National Stadium on Saturday at 7:00 pm, with only the group winners advancing to the Concacaf W Championship.

Keitonya Skeeple (left) of Antigua and Barbuda tackles Deneisha Blackwood of Jamaica during their Group B match in the Concacaf W Qualifiers at the National Stadium on Friday night. Naphtali Junior

Reggae Girlz Captain Khadija Shaw (left) celebrates after scoring her third goal against Antigua and Barbuda during their Group B encounter at the National Stadium on Friday night. At right is teamate Shania Hayles. Naphtali Junior

Reggae Girl Deneisha Blackwood (right) tries to get past Jada Benjamin of Antigua and Barbuda during their Group B encounter at the National Stadium on Friday night. Naphtali Junior

Jamaica,s senior women’s football team head coach Hubert Busby (Naphtali Junior)