FOLLOWING the Reggae Girlz’ historic qualification to the second round of the Fifa Women’s World Cup tournament last Wednesday, Assistant Coach Xavier Gilbert said it is now back to business as they prepare for Tuesday’s knockout-round game against Colombia.

The Reggae Girlz created history in Australia on Wednesday by becoming the first Caribbean nation to qualify for the Round of 16 of the tournament following their 0-0 draw against Brazil.

Gilbert told the Jamaica Observer that the Girlz have now refocused and are looking forward to putting on another excellent showing against the South Americans next week.

“We are into the Round of 16 against Colombia — to win the game of course because there has to be a winner — and so we want to get a few goals, of course, and see how well we can defend against them,” said Gilbert.

“We have been defending well in the competition because we haven’t conceded a goal, and so we want to keep that trend going in the competition,” he said.

Gilbert, a veteran coach of women’s football, said the players are “upbeat” and in “good spirits” ahead of the next game.

“The mindset is to go as far as we can go, and we are focusing on that and they are committed to making Jamaica proud,” Gilbert said.

After conceding 12 goals and scoring one in their Women’s World Cup debut in 2019, Jamaica shut out France, Panama, and Brazil in consecutive games to book an improbable place in the tournament’s knockout stage.

In fact, the Jamaicans recorded their first-ever victory at the tournament when they defeated Panama 1-0 last Saturday. The Reggae Girlz, along with Switzerland and Japan, are the only the teams in the competition that have yet to concede a goal.

The Colombians, who finished atop Group H, have been in good form entering the knockout stages of the competition. They have two games in group stages while they lost one.

Gilbert added that the Girlz got a few days off to rest and recuperate after their epic performance against Brazil, and so everyone is now focused and ready to go on Tuesday.

“Some of the Girlz are still sore, and that is expected because the games are rough, but the medical team has been doing a fantastic job in terms of getting them recovered in time for selection,” Gilbert said.

“The game will be played in Melbourne where we are based so we won’t have to do much travelling, and I know that everybody will be recovered in time for selection on Tuesday.

“We are in it to win it and we are just hoping, whatever comes our way, we will be able to deal with and give a good account of ourselves on the day and get a good result,” Gilbert said.