Reggae Girlz vs. Guatemala Ends 2-2 In Concacaf Gold Cup Qualifier

Nicolas SimpsonOctober 29, 2023, 7:24 PM

Supporters of the Reggae Girlz, who were in attendance at the Nation Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica, were not left disappointed as the Jamaican ladies put in another gutsy performance despite their lack of experience at the international level.

Guatemala was not to be left out of the headlines as they grabbed the lead in an even contest for the first 20-plus minutes by displaying some good play and their use of the much possession they had for a large part of the first half.

The Central America team, through some good link-ups in the attacking third, saw Ramirez picking up the ball on the edge of the Jamaican penalty area, she then launched a looping shot to beat the Jamaican goalkeeper for a 28th-minute lead.

However, less than four minutes later, the Reggae Girlz got their much-deserved equalizer. Defender Allison Dayes picked out a wonderful pass from inside her half to find Jamaican striker Melissa Johnson. Johnson only needed two touches to find the back of the Guatemalans’ net; her last touch saw her shot sliding through the onrushing goalkeeper’s legs.

The start of the second half saw a swing in the game as the Reggae Girlz established a form of dominance for the first time on the night. Vidaurre grabbed her first goal in a second appearance for Jamaica with a low shot in a crowded box to give Jamaica the lead.

Just like in the first half, Guatemala did what the Reggae Girlz did to them by taking only four minutes to find an equalizer courtesy of a beautiful finish from Solorzano in minute 52, to partially dampen the party-like atmosphere in the stadium.

Jamaica had a few clear-cut chances to grab all three points late on but had to settle for a 2-2 draw and their first point in two games.