BARRANQUILLA, Colombia.- It was a up and down debut on Thursday in Group A for the women's teams of Costa Rica and Jamaica, who are representing Concacaf in the XXIII Central American and Carribean Games in Barranquilla, Colombia.
Jamaica could not hold onto a first half lead thanks to a Khadija Shaw goal in the 12th minute and fell 2-1 maintain against Venezuela at the Estadio Moderno Julio Torres.
Ysaura Candelaria Viso Garrido equalized for the Venezuelans in the 56th minute and then forward Deyna Castellanos – a former candidate for FIFA Women's Player of the Year 2017 - sealed the win for the Vinotinto with a score in the 81st minute.
Venezuela played the final 15 minutes with 10 players due to the sending off of defender Nubiluz de la Trinidad Rangel.
In the second match, Costa Rica relied on a goal by Gloriana Villalobos to beat Colombia 1-0 to wrap up the first matchday in Group A.
Villalobos, a player with Florida State University in the United States, collected a pass from the right and inside the area finished past goalkeeper Sandra Milena Sepulveda.
Group A will continue on Saturday, July 21 when Costa Rica faces Jamaica and Venezuela takes on Colombia.
