3 months ago
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FRAZSIERS WHIP head coach Courtney Dowdie is now turning his attention to the final of the Jamaica Women’s Premier League, saying player rotation will play a key role in their ambition to defend their title.
Frazsiers Whip booked their place in the JWPL final after dismissing Los Perfectos 7-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals.
They will face off against Cavalier in Saturday’s final, a repeat of the 2024 and 2023 finals.
Speaking after his team’s victory over Los Perfectos over the weekend, Dowdie said player rotation has become an important part of his preparations throughout the knockout rounds.
The need for rotation took on more importance with Frazsiers Whip missing a few of their players, who are taking up scholarship opportunities overseas.
“We did some rotations because the aim was to just come out here and win,” Dowdie said.
“We changed around the team a whole lot just to see what we have, because there are persons leaving for scholarships. So the aim was to see how we could introduce some players, give them some game time, and I think it worked out for us.”
One of the players leaving is Jamaican international Shaniel Buckley, who returned to Daytona State College in the United States.
Buckley was a major part of the team’s attacking prowess, scoring 12 goals this season.
Dowdie explained thatbwhile it would be impossible to replace a player of Buckley’s profile, his goal is to ensure the team is still able to maintain their strength in attack.
“If you look at it, we have players like Danishca Rattray coming off the bench; and she came on for about 25 minutes and she did well, so I’m pleased,” he said.
“Buckley is an impossible player to replace, but we have players that I think can step up to the plate and deliver.”
With the JWPL final set for the Ashenheim Stadium at Jamaica College come Saturday, Dowdie said not much will change for the team regarding preparation.
He said his intent will be to enter the final with the same free-flowing, attacking mindset they have kept throughout the season.
“The plan has always been to just play our game, nothing has changed. It’s always been to play our game,” he explained.
“That’s very important for us, not to try and play like the other team. Once we do that, it’s going to be a good game for us. That’s all I ask of the girls, and once we play our game, I believe we can do good things.”
English (US) ·