Jamaica U20 women’s national team players and staff (pictured) gather together during a training session in 2017. (Photo courtesy of the Jamaica Football Federation)
KINGSTON, Jamaica -- There is a saying that goes, “Without confidence, you are twice defeated in the race of life.”
Despite a pair of losses to host Costa Rica (0-1, 1-5) in recent friendlies, Jamaica is brimming with belief ahead of the 2018 CONCACAF Under-20 Women’s Championship.
“We did not get the results we wanted. It was disappointing,” head coach Lorne Donaldson said of the trip to Central America. “However, I believe these games were still crucial in our preparation for the CONCACAF U-20 Championship.
“Finishing is an area I said I wanted the team to work on. We didn’t score in the first game. The second game, we found the target. We are ticking the right boxes slowly, but surely.”
The Reggae Girlz will open CONCACAF play on Friday against Group B rival Mexico, before facing the United States (January 21) and Nicaragua (January 23).
“We are aiming for France” finished Donaldson. “Getting to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup is a dream for me and our team. It is a difficult group. We are aware of what the USA, Mexico and Nicaragua have to throw at us. We have done our homework and research of all the teams and their strengths and weaknesses, so we are ready to go and create a good impression on the region.”
A fourth-place finish in the 2006 edition was Jamaica’s best placement in a CONCACAF Under-20 Women’s Championship.
