KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC-Jamaica came from behind to beat Dominican Republic 2-1 in a top-of-the-table clash of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Women’s Under-20 finals here on Tuesday.
The DR’s captain, Lissy Maria Sanchez Guzman stunned Jamaica by opening the scoring in the 25th minute of play at Anthony Spauldings Sports Complex.
However the young Reggae Girlz roared back courtesy of strikes from Kayla Gray (38th) and Nichole Harris (47th) to top the group with three wins and nine points.
“It was a competitive game, but I think we still dominated the game and it’s just unfortunate that we conceded the first goal of the tournament,” said Jamaica’s coach, Xavier Gilbert.
On Friday, Jamaica will tackle Group B runners-up Cuba in the second of two semi-finals at the same venue, with Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago meeting in the first.
“We are familiar with the Cuban players and we anticipate that it is going to be another tough fight as all the teams want to qualify,” Gilbert pointed out.
“I think the girls are equipped and ready to retain the CFU championships.”
The two finalists will advance to the CONCACAF stage, to be played next year.
In the opening game of Tuesday’s double-header, a match of academic interest, St Kitts & Nevis defeated Suriname 5-3.
The victory earned St Kitts & Nevis their first points of the round, as they placed third (three points) with Suriname finishing pointless at the foot of Group B standings.
