Reggae Girlz thumped again

THE REGGAE Girlz suffered a second successive 4-0 defeat to South American giants Brazil in their international friendly at Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador, Brazil, yesterday.

Two goals from Jhennifer and one each from Debinha and Marta saw the Brazilians past the Reggae Girlz.

The South Americans were off to the best possible start, as just seven minutes into the match, they opened the Jamaican defence for Debinha to stab home from close range to go 1-0 ahead.

The home team then controlled the tempo, while choosing their moments and came close through Byanca Brasil, Gabi Portilho, and Rafaelle Souza from a corner.

The Reggae Girlz remained on the defensive for the first half hour, rarely venturing into their opponent’s half.

In the 35th minute, a defensive lapse let in Gabi Nunes on goal but she failed to connect from three yards out.

The Brazilians continued to dominate but the Reggae Girlz saw out the half without conceding further.

Brazil continued to starve the Reggae Girlz of possession at the start of the second half but the Girlz slowly worked their way into the game somewhat, and in the 55th minute Jody Brown produced Jamaica’s first attempt at goal but put her shot just wide.

In the 58th minute, McKenna also turned a cross from Atlanta Primus wide of goal from six yards.

However, Brazil took back control after the hour mark and in the 64th minute, Jhennifer stabbed a rebound into the roof of the net from two yards after Sydney Schnieder had saved Gabi Nunes’ initial header from a corner.

A few minutes later, McKenna had a glorious chance to pull a goal back for the Girlz, after an excellent pass from Allyson Swaby, but she slammed against the post from just inside the box.

The samba girls then put the game to bed when Jhennifer calmly curved the ball into the far corner past Schnieder to go 3-0 up.

Brazilian and women’s football legend Marta, who came on as a substitute, then added the finishing touch with a precise free kick from the edge of the area in the 84th.