Injury-plagued Girlz opt for versatility against US

INJURIES TO a number of senior players have forced Reggae Gilz head coach Hubert Busby Jr to name a “flexible” 21-member squad to face the United States in an international friendly at the Energizer Park in Missouri on June 3.

With experienced players such as Khadija Shaw, goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer, midfielders Drew Spence and Jade Bailey, and forward Trudi Carter unavailable, Busby opted for versatile players, as he anticipates a severe test from the US.

However, Busby believes the absence of senior players gives opportunities to younger, more inexperience players looking to break into the regular squad.

“These are veteran players in the squad who we rely on heavily. With them not being there, it provides an opportunity for other players to definitely step up and show what they can do.

“The players, sometimes we put them in different positions. We are very open in terms of the shortcomings all around. There are things we can improve on.

“But with this squad there is truly a flexibility of players. Nyema (Ingleton), Vyan (Sampson), Mimi (Amelia Van Zanten) and Deneisha (Blackwood) can also serve as defenders,” he pointed.

“But the best part about it is that they are being put in some environment where there are bad and good stresses, and this is one (game) where we put them in an environment to see how they cope with those trials and tribulations of playing the best team in the world.

“I Iook forward to the exuberance of the young players, who want to stake a place on this team and show the world they are up for the task. I am looking to have a good week of training and putting on a great show against the world number one-ranked team.”

NEW ADDITIONS

Busby revealed that there could be two more additions to the squad before the week closes out, as Liverpool vice-captain and full back/midfielder Taylor Hinds and Ipswich forward Natasha Thomas are being processed and could be available by the end of the week.

“We still have two players we hope to get by the end of the week. We will add them when we get their citizenship and documents sorted out. So we can have them and add them to the list.

“We are working on those, and we hope to have an update by the end of the week, if possible. So we are working on those documents. Hopefully we get things sorted out,” he said.

In their three meetings at the senior level since 2008, the US have had an unblemished record against the Girlz, with three wins and 16 goals scored. The smallest margin of victory was a 4-0 mauling.

Busby was quick to point out that the main purpose of these matches is to continue improving the weaknesses in the team.

“We have strengths and deficiencies, and we just have to utilise these games. I know everyone wants to win every single match, and that is why we are here with the senior women’s national team.

“But these games are for us to experiment and trial. We can’t do that at a World Cup. You have to have the full picture of what it is. There are always little puzzle pieces that we have to put together that allows us to see the finished product.

“It’s not as close as it should be yet. But we are in the process of getting it done. And it is all about progression. Sometimes in the progression the results might not show. But we take the information and extract it and get a better understanding of where we are,” he said.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

REGGAE GIRLZ SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Liya Brooks, Sydney Schneider, Serena Mensah

Defenders: Chantelle Swaby, Konya Plummer, Naya Cardoza, Vyan Sampson, Allyson Swaby

Midfielders: Nyema Ingleton, Solai Washington, Amelia Van Zanten, Olufolasade Adamolekun, Atlanta Primus, Deneisha Blackwood

Forwards: Kayla McKenna, Reanna Blades, Shania Hayles, Shaniel Buckley, Kameron Simmonds, Kalyssa Van Zanten, Jody Brown