July 29, (THEWILL) – Jamaica’s national women’s football team claimed a significant 1-0 victory over Panama, establishing an ideal scenario for their journey to qualify for the knockout stages in Group F of the Women’s World Cup.
The crucial moment came when Captain Allyson Swaby glanced a header from a Trudi Carter corner into the far corner in the 56th minute, ultimately edging out their opponents in a closely contested match in Perth.
Throughout the game, Lorne Donaldson’s side showed their dominance over Panama, controlling the majority of the proceedings. However, their clinical edge in the final third suffered due to the absence of suspended star striker, Khadija Shaw, from Manchester City. Despite the lack of clear-cut chances in the first half, the tempo picked up after the break, as both teams realised the importance of securing a win.
Panama’s Marta Cox had a couple of attempts at the Jamaican goal, but their hopes for a World Cup advancement appeared bleak following this defeat. Jamaica’s next challenge is a mouth-watering final group encounter against Brazil, where the stakes are exceptionally high. The losing team will face elimination from the World Cup, adding pressure to the Reggae Girlz.
The return of star player, Bunny Shaw, will be a welcome boost for Donaldson and his team as they look to capitalise on Brazil’s recent surprise defeat to France. With their solid performance against Panama, Jamaica has shown their determination to make a lasting impression on the world stage and qualify for the knockout rounds.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
