Relaxed Girlz get ready to face Bermuda

After an extended period away from home, Reggae Girlz head coach Vin Blaine says it is really good for the players to be back together, training in friendly surroundings.

Blaine got the first opportunity to see his squad in action yesterday holding his first training at Stadium East as the squad continued their preparation for their World Cup qualifying opener against Bermuda tomorrow at the National Stadium at 6 p.m. The majority of the squad arrived Monday night with the exception of two players, Mireya Grey and Alika Keene, who arrived yesterday.

The Reggae Girlz haven't played a home game since October 2019 and because of the COVID-19 pandemic, have been forced to play their 2021 games in the United States, with approval not given for home internationals. While acknowledging the adjustments that some of the new players may have to make, Blaine says they will be fuelled not only by a home camp but the fully vaccinated home crowd that will watch them tomorrow.

"A lot of them probably haven't been in Jamaica for some time. And Bunny (Kahidja Shaw) is coming from an environment where you have a choice of two stadiums to play in. It's a situation that she has to adjust back into the Jamaican environment. It's not hard. The others who have just came in might be looking and feeling a little bit nervous. But I think after they start playing the nerves will go completely," Blaine said.

Blaine said that the focus for yesterday's session was light as they had to do medicals and workouts during the day and he didn't want to push them this early. While he has previously mentioned that the failed campaign of the Reggae Boyz has put them emphasis on them to "pick up the pieces", he said that the players are more focused on themselves and have exuded an attitude of confidence heading into their games against Bermuda and Grenada.

"I never heard them speak once about it. And that is a good thing. I never heard them say we have to do this or we have to do that. If they did it, not in front of me. (But) What I see from them is that they are very positive. They are very relaxed," Blaine said.

Blaine will have one final session this afternoon before tomorrow's game.