The women’s team Jamaica that qualified for the round of 16 of the World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 is living a true dream in oceanic lands, after eliminating one of the favorites to win the title in the group stage: Marta’s Brazil.
In barely their second participation in a World Cup, the “Reggae Girlz” advanced by beating teams with budgets and resources much greater than those available to the Central Americans.
Jamaica started the World Cup with a goalless draw against France; then they beat Panama by the slightest difference with a score by Allyson Renee Swaby, central defender at Angel City FC.
And on the last day of the group stage he gave the bump, He took an equality from Brazil, leaving him out of the round of 16 with a bitter farewell for Martaa living legend who played in Australia and New Zealand in his sixth tournament.
Lack of support from the Federation
But not everything has been rosy for the Caribbean. In 2014, the Jamaican Federation considered the disappearance of the women’s soccer team.
Until Cedella Marley, Bob Marley’s daughter, appeared to create the Football is Freedom foundation and help in the reorganization of the national teamhe.
Cedella Marley is currently considered the “savior of Jamaican women’s soccer” because after the creation of the foundation several positive results came, such as participation in the last World Cup in 2019.
Marley at the time commented: “I never want to see a young girl who really wants to achieve her dream, not because she is a woman”.
Despite everything, the help was not enough and for this World Cup, the mother of Houston Dash midfielder Havana Solaun organized a GoFundMe that she called Reggae Girlz Rise Up and in which he managed to add almost $70,000 dollars destined to pay the expenses of the Jamaican team during the 2023 World Cup.
Now after their pass to the round of 16, FIFA will award around $60,000 dollars to each member of the squad and that would reach $90,000 if they beat Colombia, their next rival on Tuesday.
Colombia prepared to face Jamaica
Nelson Abadía, coach of the Colombian team, I expect a tough matchup against Jamaica: “We are going to meet an opponent who has all their merits because they qualified in a fairly strong group. Leaving Brazil out gives it air and strength, ”he declared.
And warned: “A physically kind opponent, well structured defensively and who plays on the counterattack. It will be a nice opportunity for both teams”.
“Before Jamaica it will be a very physical game where the defensive order of the Central Americans will be a challenge to be able to get a place in a new instance” he closed.
Keep reading:
–From not having an idol to becoming one: Brazilian legend Marta retires from the World Cups as the top scorer in the women’s and men’s tournament
–Brazil failed against Jamaica and was left out of the Women’s World Cup in the group stage for the first time since 1995
–Who is Linda Caicedo? The Colombian striker who scores in the World Cup and earns a great salary at Real Madrid
