Since earning her first stint with the senior Reggae Girlz in Grenada earlier this year, Malikae Dayes harboured thoughts of possibly sneaking into the World Cup squad, even more so after the team successfully navigated the Concacaf Women’s Championship.

Though the Canadian-born defender knows it will take some doing, she maintains a positive outlook and is firm in her belief that the difference between the impossible and possible lies in a person’s determination.

So having been given an opportunity in Lorne Donaldson’s squad for the two friendly international against Paraguay, Dayes, who has been assiduously working on improving her craft, is determined to make the most of it.

“I’m very pleased to be back with squad, playing for Jamaica is truly an honour and just having the opportunity to be here is really exciting, as it presents a world of possibilities, especially with a spot on the team to the World Cup on the line. So hopefully I get an opportunity to play and show everyone what I’m all about,” Dayes told the Jamaica Observer.

Like many young players it has been Dayes’s, along with her twin Mikayla, dream to make it big in football and representing Jamaica, the land of their parents’ — Georgette and Humphrey — birth, on the world stage, tops the chart.

The smart and aggressive 23-year-old defender brings a certain level of flair to the senior women’s football setup, and those haven’t been lost on Head Coach Donaldson, who rates her very highly.

“Malikae is one of those players that I have watched and I think very highly of her because she is athletic and is also comfortable with the ball. So, we are going to bring her in and try to look at her. I thought she is a good solid centre back to bring in because we have to make it [battle for World Cup selection] competitive,” Donaldson told the Observer.

That praise might suggest much in terms of her chances, but Dayes is taking nothing for granted.

For Dayes, bringing those qualities to the fore will be key to her chances of making the trip to next year’s global showpiece in Australia and New Zealand.

“It’s no surprise that the team is heading to another World Cup because Jamaica has some extraordinary and talented players and I think the team has improved by just simply building a solid culture and playing a good style of soccer,” said Dayes.

“So, I won’t read much into it because I know that [making the final selection] is definitely going to be tough with the talent we have here. But I’m confident in my abilities and when I get my opportunity I will do my best to try and earn my spot,” she noted.

While she missed out on Thursday’s 1-0 win over Paraguay at the Montego Bay Sports Complex in Catherine Hall, Dayes should be called up on for today’s second contest against the South Americans at the National Stadium.

“I think I’m returning in really good shape, I just ended my collegiate season, so I would say I’m in really good form. The aim is always to produce performances that will inspire the team and in this case impress the coaches and that’s what I am looking forward to doing,” the outgoing University of Maryland senior shared.

Aside from seeking a ticket Down Under, Dayes is also focused on transitioning to the professional level with her sights set on the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) or further overseas.

“I’m just looking to earn a spot on the team and get the opportunity to play in the World Cup as that is a dream of mine. I believe anything is possible as long as you are focused and determined. I also have aspirations to play professionally so that is my next step,” Dayes ended.