2 months ago
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ACCORDING TO a press release sent by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), the Reggae Girlz will face off against the United States today in an international friendly without the guidance of head coach Hubert Busby.
The Girlz are scheduled to take on the US today at the Energizer Park stadium in St Louis, Missouri, with kick-off set for 7 p.m.
However, Busby will be notably absent from the technical area, the JFF explaining yesterday that the head coach will be away handling personal matters.
“The Jamaica Football Federation confirms that head coach Hubert Busby will be absent from the bench due to personal matters but continues to maintain active communication with both players and technical staff in Missouri,” the press release led.
In his absence, assistant coach Deon Burton will take charge as interim head coach and will be supported by a coaching staff that includes Xavier Gilbert, Sanford Carabin, and Laura Jackson.
Burton, who was a member of the Reggae Boyz squad that qualified for the 1998 World Cup, was appointed the team’s assistant coach in October last year.
It will be his third time stepping in as head coach for Busby, as he was given charge of the touchline in Jamaica’s two friendlies against Mexico in April, which they lost 3-0 and 4-0, respectively.
Speaking ahead of the game, Burton said the team is well prepared for the clash despite their brief time in camp.
“The team is looking well,” he said.
“Obviously, we’ve done the best that we can to prepare them in the time that we’ve had.
“I think a lot of information and hard work has gone in, so it’s credit to the Girlz in this short period; so we’re looking forward to the game.”
Jamaica will be facing an uphill battle when they take to the field against the four-time world champions.
The US are coming off a comfortable 3-0 win against China in their last outing, while the Girlz are winless in their last two games.
Burton said while he is hoping for a competitive display from the team, the objective is to earn invaluable experience against a high-calibre opponent.
“The calibre of opposition that we have been playing recently shows that, one, we’re privileged to be able to play them and be asked to play them in certain situations; but also to be able to put our wits against top-quality opponents, and it will only make us better.”
Jamaica has not enjoyed the best history against today’s opponents, having faced the US three times across the last seven years.
The Girlz are winless against the US, losing their last meeting 5-0 in the 2022 Concacaf W Championships.
While fielding a fairly young squad, the Girlz will be relying on the defensive experience of Allyson Swaby, Konya Plummer, Chantelle Swaby and Vyan Sampson.
The team also received a major boost in their attack, with veteran forward Tiffany Cameron and Natasha Thomas accepting late call-ups to the squad.
English (US) ·