by Ruddy Allen (Jamaica Observer) Jamaica’s fairy-tale run at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup came to an end on Tuesday with a 0-1 defeat to Colombia, and Head Coach Lorne Donaldson believes the Reggae Girlz should now build on this foundation in order to advance to the next level in women’s football.
The Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Australia, where the Reggae Girlz denied the great Brazil in a goalless draw on August 2 to advance to the round of 16, was the scene of their exit in a cruel twist of fate.
Captain Catalina Usme of Colombia latched on to a fantastic long ball from Ana Guzman and comfortably scored from close range in the 51st minute to send the Jamaicans packing. Take nothing away from Usme’s spectacular strike, but Jamaican defender Deneisha Blackwood’s misjudgement of the aerial ball caused the Reggae Girlz’ defence to be breached for the first time in this tournament, as they conceded their first goal after five hours and 22 minutes on the field.
The 43rd-ranked Jamaicans, by making it to the round of 16, became the first Caribbean country — male or female — to play in the knockout stages of the World Cup since Cuba in 1938.
