Home sweet home - Reggae Girlz delighted by spectator boost at National Stadium

AFTER A lengthy away trip, national players Khadija Shaw, Trudi Carter and Rebecca Spencer said that the return of home fans fuelled their successful World Cup qualifying start, as the Reggae Girlz defeated Bermuda 4-0 in their Group C first-round opener at the National Stadium last night.

Jody Brown and Trudi Carter provided first-half strikes in the 21st and 30th minutes and Khadija Shaw had a double in the in 78th and 93rd minutes, respectively, as Jamaica repeated the result they garnered four years ago at the same stage of the 2019 World Cup qualifiers.

Since their return to international play last year, the Jamaicans have had to play their international games in the United States with approval not given for international matches.

For Shaw, she said that the home support was a welcome sight, after the Reggae Boyz had to play their January slate without spectators.

"It was great, especially when we found out that we would have fans in the stadium because of what happened in the past few weeks. It's good that they came out and we definitely heard them and they definitely helped us," Shaw said.

Carter, who scored in that 2018 4-0 win against Bermuda, was appreciative of the moment as she marked her return to the senior team, after a lengthy absence, with a goal in front of the home crowd to celebrate.

"It was amazing because the last time we played here was 2019, so I was happy to be back home and see all these fans come out and support us and I really appreciate it," Carter said.

It was significant for the newest batch of Reggae Girlz , specifically Spencer, who was making her home debut as the starting goalkeeper. For the English-born Spencer it was a moment to savour.

"Everyone has been really welcoming and I was really looking forward to this trip and coming back and playing on home soil," she said. "So it has been really good."

While noting certain areas for improvement, head coach Vin Blaine said that the message was for them to enjoy the game and the atmosphere, which Shaw emphasised to the players.

"Before coming out she made a statement to the team and said 'listen, this is our first game, let us enjoy ourselves'. And that's exactly what they did. I can't say much. There are just one or two areas (that need improvement). But in a game like this it is not my concern now, but going forward I will address those," Blaine said.

Jamaica will continue their World Cup qualifying campaign against Grenada on Sunday at 4 p.m. in their second game of Group C.