Marlo Sweatman was the lone scorer as Jamaica's Reggae Girlz beat Chile 1-0 at the National Stadium in the first of two friendly international matches. It was the first match for the Reggae Girlz since they first created history by becoming the first Caribbean team to reach the FIFA Women's World Cup.
The Girlz’ slick movement and agility combined saw them take a deserved lead when Chilean goalkeeper Christiane Endler spilled a corner from the left, which set up the goal.
Jamaica's top attacker Khadija Shaw caused concerns to goalkeeper Endler minutes later with a free kick just outside the penalty area on the left, which caused the custodian to dive full stretch to her right to prevent another goal.
Shaw was given a grand opportunity to increase the lead close the end of the half when she was fed a through ball, but with only Endler to beat she fired straight at the goalkeeper from just inside the area.
The Chileans started the second half on the attack and camped inside the Reggae Girlz' half for most of the first 20 minutes, with their best effort being a long-range shot from Yesenita Huenteo that goalkeeper Nicole McClure had to dive to her right to block.
Then a free-kick from the right by Huenteo had to be cleared off the line at the far post by defender Konya Plummer, after beating goalkeeper McClure.
The Reggae Girlz gradually settled and once again started to take the fight to Chile with a number of quick counter attacks that looked positive at the beginning but fizzled out in the final third or was fired over the crossbar from distance.
Chile was presented with a good opportunity to equalise close to the end when Plummer failed to properly clear from the area and the ball fell to an unmarked Yanara Aedo on the left. She fired powerfully at goalkeeper McClure who blocked the near-post effort.
The Jamaica Women’s team play their second match will take place at the Montego Bay Sports Complex tomorrow.
