SAINT LUCIA’S Senior Women’s football team will fancy their chances against a powerful Jamaica team tomorrow (Sunday 6th September 2019) at the Jamaica National Stadium in the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifier.
Saint Lucia has been drawn in Group B along with Barbados, the US Virgin Islands, Cuba and host nation Jamaica.
In Jamaica’s first match they defeated Cuba 12 – 1. The Saint Lucia ladies will have to deal with the likes of Cheyna Matthew, Tiffany Cameron, Deneisha Blackwood, Trudi Carter, substitutes Reilly Paterson, Tarania Clarke and Dominique Bond-Flasza.
The VOICE spoke to assistant coach of the Saint Lucia team, Emmanuel Bellas ahead of Saint Lucia’s game against Jamaica. Bellas said, “Looking at the game against Jamaica we have realized that they are a well-oiled and organized team. They create a lot of mobility, so we know that we are in a tough fight. We are hoping that we can contain them as much as possible.”
Meanwhile, Saint Lucia registered their first win in the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifiers against the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) on Wednesday 2nd October at the Jamaica National Stadium in Kingston.
The Saint Lucian team defeated the USVI 4 – 1 with two goals from Under-20 player Cassandra Shepherd; the other goal scorers were Under-17 captain Krysan St Louis and IllanaLashley.
This is St Louis’ second goal of the tournament and Shepherd’s third. They scored one goal each against Barbados on Monday.
Bellas spoke about Saint Lucia’s victory against the USVI. “Even after our loss against Barbados 3 – 2 on the opening day, the team has not lost its spirit. They were disappointed in the manner we conceded the three goals but realised there was defensive strength in the team. So they approached the USVI game in positive spirits,” he said.
The Saint Lucia squad in Jamaica reads: Ellaisa Marquis (Captain), Namaly Flood, Kenna Lionel, Emma Clovis, Britanya St Prix, Racquelle John, Tiffany Allain, Tamara Edward, Steffany Allain, Ayana Vitalis, Illana Lashley, Tangi Lansiquot, Carlyn Williams, Cassandra Shepherd, Meurrisia Prince, Andrianna Dmuchalsky, Krysan St Louis, Verlisha Kishelle and Nianka Remy.
The team will be accompanied by Trevor Anderson (Head Coach) and Emmanuel Bellas (Assistant Coach). Other officials travelling include Mary Liz Campbell (Team Manager), Jeff Emmanuel (Goalkeeping Coach), Wade Clovis (Trainer) and Rebertha Wilfred (Physiotherapist).
Jamaica’s team: Chris-Ann Chambers, Konya Plummer, Sashana Campbell, Dominique Bond-Flasza, Deneisha Blackwood, Reilly Paterson, Chantelle Swaby, Shantel Bailey, Chinyelu Asher, Tarania Clark, Trudi Carter, Cheyna Matthews, Tiffany Cameron, Tiernny Wiltshire, Ricquelle Farquharson, Rena Gordon, Khadija Shaw, and Allyson Swaby.
