REGGAE Girlz Head Coach Hubert Busby praised his squad’s resilience after a 0-0 draw with Panama on Monday night in Panama City, closing out their two-match international window with a 1-0 series win.

The Girlz had a golden chance to snatch victory but defender Deneisha Blackwood missed from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute, hitting the crossbar in what was otherwise a tight physical contest.

“It was another hard-fought match, challenging match, another Concacaf match as they say. Overall, the team played well,” Busby said.

“There’s areas where I think we didn’t kind of live up to what we want to do, especially in the build-up play in the first part of the game. And there’s times where we didn’t really manage the game as much as we want in possession.”

After winning the first game 1-0 at the same venue on Friday, Jamaica backed it up with a second-straight clean sheet away from home — an objective for Busby heading into the window.

“Credit to the players again — another humid, difficult night in Panama City but [it was] probably a fair result in the end,” Busby said. “You know, it’s very trying conditions. They put in the work and come out here and tried to get the result but, obviously, [it] wasn’t to be on the night.”

Busby used the window to blood new players and welcome back veterans. Goalkeeper Liya Brooks was singled out for her poise under pressure.

“We’re again having some young players get some much-needed minutes, which is good,“ he said. ”Young Liya Brooks did another great job in goal; [she was] composed and looked like she’s been a vet for the longest time so really happy with what she’s done.

“Players coming back from long layoffs and injuries, like Peyton McNamara. I thought she did really well [despite the fact that] it’s been over a year without the group. This is why we play these games — she looked like she hadn’t been away at all.”

With the next international window in October, Busby framed the Panama series as crucial “building blocks” on the road to the World Cup.

“Iron sharpens iron,” he said. “We have a competitive group.

“We need to have these players that we’ve had in our pool for a while and players coming back.

Overall, it’s a good exercise for us to come here in Concacaf, in challenging environments, and continue to work and build the things that are going to take us to the World Cup. A lot of them have been off since early May, trying to keep fit while getting their required rest and recuperation from a very long season.

“Credit to them — they showed up when called upon and did the very best. I’m proud the way that we fought. Two games in a row away from home keeping a clean sheet — which is one of the objectives.”

The Reggae Girlz face Costa Rica in the Concacaf W Championship in the United States this November, knowing a win qualifies them for the FIFA Women’s World Cup next year and the Olympic Games in 2028.