Canada blank Reggae Girlz 3-0
MONTERREY, Mexico – Jamaica’s hopes of qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Games were dashed with their 0-3 defeat at the hands of Canada in the semi-final match at the CONCACAF Women’s Championship at the Estadio Universario on Thursday night..
Two headed goals by Jessie Fleming and substitute Allysha Chapman in the 18th and 65th minutes and another by Adriana Leon in the 77th propelled Canada to the final.
Canada will meet the United States, who blanked Costa Rica 3-0 in the other semi-final, in the championship decider on Monday.
Jamaica and Costa Rica will playoff for the third spot in the curtain raiser, also on Monday.
The winner of the championship will advance directly to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, while the loser will meet the third-placed team next year in September for the second CONCACAF Olympic spot.
Coach Lorne Donaldson made four changes to his last starting team, resting skipper Khadija Shaw who was nursing a knock. Shaw was replaced by Kayla McCoy.
Chinyelu Asher made a return to the starting lineup in midfield while sturdy defender Chantelle Swaby was also left out. Her sister Allyson Swaby captained the team.
Left-back Deneisha Blackwood also returned while Jayadia Pelaia-Hylton got her first start but was left in tears after nine minutes when she got injured and had to be replaced by Chantelle Swaby
Then things went from bad to worse for Jamaica as in the 18th minute, Jessie Fleming headed home from close range from Ashley Lawrence’s left-sided cross.
Five minutes later Jamaica got a look in as a poor clearance by Canada’s goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan fell to Carter but her 20m drive went wide. Then Janine Beckie’s close-range effort was deflected for a corner in the 30th minute.
Canada began to pile on the pressure and, in the 33rd minute, Nichelle Prince dragged her shot onto the upright but it rebounded into the waiting arms of goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer.
Spencer has been having a brilliant campaign and produced another eye-popping save, tipping away a curling effort that had goal written all over it in minute 36.
Jamaica came out in the second half looking more at ease as they matched Canada until the 65th minute when Alex Chapman scored a beautiful header to put the game to bed.
Teams
Jamaica: 13-Rebecca Spencer, 02-Satara Murray, 17-Allyson Swaby, 14-Deneisha Blackwood, 12-Jayada Pelaia-Hylton (04-Chantelle Swaby 9th), 06-Havana Solaun, 07-Chinyelu Asher (20-Atlanta Primus 46th), 09-Drew Spence (21-Olufolasade Adamoluken 79th), 10-Jody Brown, 18-Trudi Carter (22-Mireya Grey 46th), 08-Kayla McCoy (15-Kalyssa Vanzanten, 66th).
Subs not used: 01-Sydney Schneider, 03-Vyan Sampson, 11-Khadija Shaw, 23-Yazmeen Jamieson, 05-Jade Bailey, 16-Paige Bailey-Gayle, 19-Tiernny Wiltshire.
Booked:
Coach: Lorne Donaldson
Canada: 01-Kailen Sheridan, 08-Jayde Riviere, 03-Khadeisha Buchanan, 14-Vanessa Gilles, 10-Ashley Lawrence (02-Allysha Chapman 53rd), 11-Desiree Scott (13-Sophie Schmidt, 68th), 05-Quinn, 12-Christine Sinclair (09-Jordyn Huitema, 53rd), 15-Nichelle Prince, 17-Jessie Fleming (07-Julia Grosso 54th), 16-Janine Beckie (19-Adriana Leon 53rd).
Subs not used: 18-Sabrina D’Angelo, 04-Shelina Zadorsky, 06-Deanne Rose, 20-Cloe Lacasse. 21- Zoe Burns, 23- Bianca St Georges
Booked:
Coach: Beverley Priestman