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Donaldson wants more from Girlz
April 11, 2023
Reggae Girlz coach Lorne Donaldson is still uncomfortable with the players' performances despite a relaxed 2-0 win over Sheffield United women at King Power Stadium in Leicester City yesterday.
Donaldson, who argues that they are far from where he wants them to be, believes that they have time to get it right before the start of the FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20.
The Girlz, with goals from Chantelle Swaby in the 53rd minute and Cheyna Matthews in the 83rd, beat the Women's Championship outfit comfortably, and although pleased with the defensive aspect, Donaldson found them wanting in other areas.
"It wasn't the greatest game, but we got a result, and sometimes that is what you need to start out.
"We could have done a lot better with our movement. We were a little bit flat in the first half, and our passing, to say the least, wasn't good, and overall our cohesiveness wasn't smooth.
"So that is what we are going to start to work towards, so there is a mental understanding of where to go, where to make runs and where to pass," he said.
Sheffield made it more of a contest in the second half but never threatened goalkeeper Rebbeca Spencer in goal, and that is some comfort for the veteran coach.
"The second half, we were much better than the first half. We were a lot more cohesive. We should have put more in the net, but we didn't give up any, so that is a good start, and the most pleasing part of it is that we didn't give them any chance.
"We were never polished at the back, but apart from our mistakes, we never gave them a chance to score," he added.
Nevertheless, he believes there is time to fine-tune their game before they jet off Down Under.
"We were missing some key players, and others had to step in. So when we start training, our camp should be a bit longer. We have time to prepare so I am not too worried about it.
"We are hoping to get two games in June. Maybe, one in Florida and a send-off game in Jamaica. So we are looking forward to the next time we get together," he said.
