Latest News
Another 4-0 defeat for Reggae Girlz
June 05, 2024
The Reggae Girlz suffered another battering by hosts Brazil in their second friendly match in the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador, Brazil.
Last night's 4-0 defeat was their second by the same margin in four days. Substitute Jheniffer, a 22 year-old forward, scored twice for the home team after she replaced Byanca Brasil at the start of the second half. The other goals came from veteran players, 32 year-old Debinha and six-time FIFA Footballer of the Year, 38-year-old Marta.
In four international matches between the two countries since 2019 the Reggae Girlz have failed to score against Brazil while conceding 11 goals. The Jamaicans were blanked 3-0 at the 2019 World Cup in France before they held the Brazilians to a 0-0 scoreline at last year's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Yesterday Brazil were off to fast start as after just seven minutes into the match they opened the Jamaican defence for Debinha to stab home from close range.
The home team then controlled the tempo with 70 per cent possession while choosing their moments and came close through Byanca Brasil, and Gabi Portilho and Rafaelle Souza from a corner.
The Reggae Girlz remained on the defensive for the first half hour, rarely venturing in their opponent's half. In the 35th minute a defensive error let in Brazil's Gabi Nunes on goal but she failed to connect from three yards out.
The Brazilians continued to dominate with three shots on goal to Jamaica's one but the Reggae Girlz saw out the half without conceding any further goals.
The hosts 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 and in the 55th minute Jody Brown put a shot just wide.
In the 58th minute Jamaica's Kayla Jay McKenna also turned a cross from strike partner Atlanta Primus wide of goal from six yards.
However, Brazil regained control after the hour mark and in the 64th minute Jheniffer slammed a rebound into the roof of the net from two yards after goalkeeper Sydney Schneider 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 defender Allyson Swaby, but she slammed the ball against the post from just inside the box.
The Samba Girls then put the game to bed when Jheniffer calmly curled the ball into the far corner past Schnieder to go 3-0 up in the 79th minute. Then Marta, who came on as a substitute in the 65th minute added the finishing touch with a precise free kick from the edge of the area in the 84th minute.
