The final in preliminary round Group F at the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand today (08/02/2023, 12 p.m. CEST, live on Erste and on sportschau.de) will be exciting: Outsiders Jamaica have their sights set on reaching the round of 16 against Brazil. A draw would be enough for the “Reggae Girlz”.
Who would have thought? Before the final day of the game, anything is still possible in Group F: Where France and Brazil started the race as the top favorites, a very interesting situation suddenly arose, which is putting Brazil in particular under a lot of pressure. France’s 2-1 win over the Sugar Loaf Women left “Les Bleues” on four points. They should definitely reach the round of 16 in their final game against the women from Panama without a point so far today (also at 12 noon CEST, in the live stream on sportschau.de).
One point is enough for Jamaica
Things get exciting behind them: Jamaica, who drew 0-0 with France in the opening match and then beat Panama, are a point ahead of Brazil. One point in a direct duel is enough for the “Reggae Girlz” to outsmart Brazil and move into the round of 16 themselves.
It was defender Allyson Swaby who headed Jamaica in the second half to beat Panama 1-0. The women from the Caribbean had found it difficult – it was an unusual role they had slipped into in the second group game: for the first time ever they had gone into a game as favorites. They didn’t really like this starting position – you could see that.
Goalscorer promotes respect
But despite all the noticeable cramping, it was enough to win and now four points, which make everything possible for the group final. The fact that Swaby scored the goal was significant. Because it was the defender who had repeatedly acted as spokesman in the past few days and weeks when the team’s problems with the top management became clear.
The team did not agree with the support of the Jamaican Football Association. Late payments and poor organization disrupted the tournament preparations. Swaby spoke out publicly, demanding “respect” from officials. “Football is our livelihood. We should be treated appropriately,” said the 26-year-old, who grew up in the United States. Things “didn’t go perfectly”, the association admitted and promised improvement.
In 2010 there were no more “Reggae Girlz”.
The team has made amazing progress over the past few years. Already qualifying for the 2019 World Cup in France, where they were eliminated after three defeats in the first round, was a great success. In 2010, the national team was disbanded after failing to qualify for the 2003 Women’s World Cup or the next major tournament, the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
In 2010, the team was ranked 128th in the world rankings. That’s why the Jamaican Football Association JFF cut all funds for both the senior national team and the Olympic team. Consequently, the national team dropped out of the rankings a year later due to continued inactivity.
“Wear the Same Colors”
But in 2014 the national team rose like a phoenix from the ashes. In the run-up to the then Concacaf W Championships, she received funding again and immediately began recruiting players. Although the country finished third in its group and missed out on qualifying for Canada 2015, Jamaica returned to the FIFA World Rankings in 2017 – and things have been steadily improving since then.
Coach Lorne Donaldson is in his second stint. He retired in 2020, only to take over the team again in July 2022 and finish third in the Concacaf W Championship. They qualified for the World Cup with a 1-0 win over Costa Rica in the third-place play-off.
Top star Shaw at it again
The fact that Brazil could be brought down is a double-edged sword for Donaldson: “We wear the same colors. We have great respect for Brazil. Most Jamaicans think they are Brazilian when it comes to football.”
Against Brazil, however, the Caribbean footballers will find their way back to their beloved role as outsiders. What will do them good: Top star and captain Khadija Shaw (20 goals for Manchester City last season) is in the decisive group game for the round of 16 after her yellow-red card from the France game, because of which she had to watch against Panama .
Facts about the game Jamaica – Brazil
– Matches against each other: 1 (1 win Brazil)
– FIFA World Ranking: Jamaica 43rd / Brazil 8th
– Best World Cup placement: Jamaica – preliminary round 2019 / Brazil – Vice World Champion 2007
– Fun Fact: Khadija Shaw is the figurehead of Jamaican women’s soccer. Because of her fondness for carrots, she was given the nickname “Bunny” when she was young.
Facts about the game Panama – France
– Play against each other: none
– FIFA World Ranking: Panama 52nd / France 5th
– Best World Cup placement: Panama – First participation 2023 / France – Fourth place 2011
– Fun fact: France coach Hervé Renard was showered with praise from the home media after beating Brazil. “He revived the once divided team,” it says. Incidentally, Renard is now the first coach in the world to win a game with both a women’s and a men’s team at a World Cup. In Qatar in 2022, he and Saudi Arabia defeated favorites Argentina 2-1 in the preliminary round.
