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Donaldson warns Girlz about Panama
July 25, 2023
Head coach Lorne Donaldson is reminding the Reggae Girlz that as they look towards their second group game against Panama on Saturday, they must not drop their intensity level, although believing their performance in their Women's World Cup opener against France was the best result in the country's football history.
The Reggae Girlz earned their first-ever point in Women's World Cup history on Sunday, drawing 0-0 with France in Sydney, Australia. They succeeded in holding the No. 5 ranked France in the world goalless at the World Cup for the first time in their history.
It was achieved despite captain Khadija Shaw being ejected from the game during second-half stoppage time for a second bookable offence.
Amid an impressive defensive display against the French, including fullback Deniesha Blackwood getting the Player of the Match honours, Donaldson was quick to get the message of the type of intensity they will need against Panama, in a match that before the tournament was earmarked as a game they needed maximum points from, to have a chance to advance from the group.
"Every game is important. That is why you play three games. If a tie had gotten you through the first time, we would say no. We have to come out ready because Panama are going to be ready. As you can see, several so-called lesser-ranked teams are doing very well," Donaldson said. "We must be ready to play Panama because Panama will come out blazing."
Panama lost their group opener 4-0 to Brazil yesterday.
Among the lesser-ranked teams who have put in creditable performances include co-hosts New Zealand, who pulled off the shock 1-0 win in their tournament opener against Norway and Haiti, who battled valiantly against England despite losing 1-0.
The Reggae Girlz will have to do it without Shaw, who is suspended for the fixture, and while the loss of their most crucial player, should sting, Donaldson says they will have to evaluate who can step up in her absence.
"Khadija takes a crowd. She is that type of player, but we have some other players. We don't know who yet, but we will put somebody in that spot and see how training goes in the next few days, and then we will make a choice," Donaldson said.
The Girlz will have a point of reference in operating without Shaw, having played in the Cup of Nations Tournament in February. They scored two goals in that tournament from Jody Brown and Kameron Simmonds.
