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AFTER A hat-trick against Dominica over the weekend led to her 60th international goal, Reggae Girlz captain Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw says she is proud to once again don the black, green, and gold of Jamaica.
Shaw bagged a first-half hat-trick in Jamaica’s historic 18-0 win over Dominica in their opening game of the Concacaf W Qualifiers on Saturday, marking her first appearance for Jamaica in 11 months.
The striker, who is the island’s all-time leading goalscorer, had been absent from national duty due to injuries and health concerns with her club.
But she returned the way she had left, scoring goals for fun.
Speaking after the game, Shaw said it is always an honour to represent Jamaica on the international stage.
“Every time we put on the colours, it’s an honour,” she said.
“This is the start of the qualifiers and we wanted to firstly, focus on ourselves as always, and I think we did a very professional performance.”
Shaw continued, “For me coming in, it’s been a while since I’ve been here so I think I’m just trying to learn, trying to get familiar with the new faces, and trying to get back in the rhythm.”
Jamaica have taken the lead in Group B with three points, tied with Nicaragua but hold the advantage with their already-healthy goal difference.
Shaw said the team has shown its quality with the display, but said this is the standard they must now maintain throughout the entire campaign.
Jamaica’s next match will see them facing Nicaragua away in March next year, before back-to-back home games against Antigua and Barbuda and Guyana in April.
“For us, as a group, we have to maintain a standard, despite whatever team we play,” Shaw explained.
“We had a professional performance and we scored a lot of goals. But we could have had more goals, been more clinical, and I think that’s something that we are going to have to work on.
“Overall, as a team, there’s always room for improvement, and I think what we do on the ball is just as important as what we do off the ball as well.”
Shaw is hoping she can captain Jamaica to their third FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The team made their debut in France 2019 before making a consecutive appearance in Australia and New Zealand 2023.
The prolific striker played a key role in both qualifying campaigns and assisted Jamaica’s first-ever World Cup goal, playing in Havana Solaun in Jamaica’s 4-1 defeat to Australia.
While honoured to be chosen as team captain, Shaw acknowledged her fellow senior players in the squad who have helped maintained their high standards.
“To captain this team to what we’ve been through, two World Cups now and we’re hunting for the third, for me, it’s a privilege and it’s an honour to lead the girls out,” she said.
“But I think we also have a lot of leaders within the group, which definitely helps playing at a very high level. So when we come in, it’s not just one person, it’s a group, and I think that’s what translates throughout the team.”
The W Qualifiers will serve as the firsts step towards qualification to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The group winner advance to the Concacaf W Championship, where the top four teams will qualify for the World Cup.
The top three teams from the W Championship will also earn a spot at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
English (US) ·