Mexico clip Girlz in Olympic Qualifier

The Reggae Girlz suffered a narrow 1-0 loss to Mexico in their Group ‘B’ Olympic Qualifying encounter at the HEB Park in Edinburg, Texas, last night.

Despite a spirited second-half effort, the Jamaicans could not get back into the contest after Renae Cuellar had given the Mexicans the 36th-minute first-half lead.

The Jamaicans were put on the back foot from the opening whistle as the Mexicans came out pressing down the left side, however, the Swaby sisters, Allyson and Chantelle along with Sashana Campbell kept them at bay.

After soaking up much of that pressure, the Girlz came into their own and almost got the go-ahead goal when Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw rifled a right-footed shot on to the crossbar from a tight angle in the 34th minute.

The Mexicans would take the lead two minutes later after Cueller received a lovely knock-down inside the area, to rifle a shot past Sydney Schneider in goal.

Down a goal the Jamaicans made a couple of changes and pushed more bodies forward in the second half, however, some good goalkeeping from Mexican custodian Emily Alvarado denied substitute Tiffany Cameron late on.

With two minutes to go, the Jamaicans got a glorious chance to salvage a point, however, Kayla McCoy could not turn the ball into the net after the goalkeeper had mistimed a punch from a deep right-sided free kick.

The Jamaicans were the second Caribbean team to lose in Group ‘B’ play as St Kitts and Nevis were hammered 11-0 by Canada in the opening encounter.