U20 Girlz claim ‘Jewels of the Caribbean’ title

The U20 Reggae Girlz were the crowning gem in the 2024 First Citizens-sponsored Jewels of the Caribbean tournament finale as they clipped the Trinidad and Tobago Red Angels 2-1 at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago yesterday.

Goals from Alyssa Stephenson and Tiny Seaton paved the way for the Girlz while Trinidadian Orielle Martin’s strike proved to be a consolation effort at the end.

The final was a rematch of the two teams’ earlier meeting on Thursday in the first round where Jamaica had clipped the Red Angels 1-0.

Stephenson opened the scoring for the Girlz in the 17th minute with a brilliant turn of pace as she sped by two markers to break through on goal.

Her initial shot was parried by the goalkeeper but she made no mistake with the follow-up effort, placing it into the back of the net.

The hosts would pull level as Martin let fly a floating effort from distance which caught the Jamaican custodian off her goal line in the 30th minute.

Former Excelsior High standout Seaton would seal the title with a show of skill. The wily winger flicked the ball over the head of her first marker before speeding past other defender en route to a tidy finish past the onrushing goalkeeper.

Despite their attempts, the Red Angels could not find a equalising goal and Jamaica ran out victors at the end.

Earlier in the afternoon, St Vincent and the Grenadines won the third-place playoff match as they got the better of Trinidad and Tobago White Angels 2-0 on the day.

In the award ceremony at the end of the tournament, Jamaica’s Destiny Powell took home the most valuable player award while Martin copped the golden boot with her six goals scored.

G-Riesa Joseph of St Vincent and the Grenadines was named the tournament’s most outstanding goalkeeper for a second consecutive year.

Jamaica’s participation in the tournament is in preparation for the Concacaf Women’s U20 Qualifiers set for February 20 through to February 25 next year.

The Girlz have been drawn in Group D along with Nicaragua, St Kitts and Nevis and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

G.B.