Busby pleased with Girlz win, but more work to be done
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Following the Reggae Girlz 1-0 win over Panama in their international friendly on Friday, Reggae Girlz head coach Hubert Busby Jr said he was pleased with the result but believes there is still work to be done ahead of the second game tomorrow.
The Reggae Girlz clipped Panama in a close contest in Panama City, with Shania Hayles scoring the all-important goal in the 25th minute from a free kick.
After the game, Busby praised his team for the win against a difficult opponent in a hostile away environment.
“At the end of the day, we're here to win football matches by any means necessary and, as you said, no matter what happens, we have to get a result out of this game,” Busby said in his post-match interview.
“When you get on the road in hostile environments with all the different conditions, all the different things that we've been through in the last week, I think it was really important for us just to focus in, zero in, make the main thing be about the main thing; which is for us to get these games in, keep the mindset positive, and keep moving forward.”
Busby said the team started the game strongly but, as the Panamanians got into the game, it became an increasing difficult contest for the Girlz.
He said, with the Europe-based players coming off the end of their seasons, and the US-based players in the thick of theirs, it meant the team had to manage various levels of match sharpness within the squad.
Busby said this was handled with strategic player management and in-game substitutions.
“I thought we started the game pretty well and were able to possess the ball and look to exploit them in areas that we wanted to,” Busby explained.
“We've had players who haven't been playing now for over a month, those based in Europe, so you can sort of tell the playing rhythm and the physical fitness just wasn't there, and that's why we tried to manage the game with some subs.”
Busby said the team will need to work on their match fitness ahead of the second international friendly set for tomorrow.
He explained one of the key factors will be how the team recovers from Friday’s game, and to ensure each player is ready to compete once again.
Busby also said the Girlz will need to work on possessing the ball better, as it became an issue for the team throughout the first game.
"Well, first and foremost, get the recovery in, make sure the players have the recovery that they need,” he explained.
“We have one of the best medical staff, I would say, in the region, that allows for them to have a quick turnaround and, you know, have a chance to look at the film and areas where we can improve,” Busby continued.
“I thought we need to be better in possession of the ball and just kind of work on some things and head into the next match and look to improve.”
The two friendlies against Panama are being used as preparation for the Concacaf W Championships, where Jamaica will face Costa Rica for a spot in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Busby said Panama are a very similar team to Costa Rica, which will give the team needed experience ahead of the decisive game in November.
“That's why we wanted to play this game, because we also know Panama is a good side. They were in the last World Cup. We played them. They’re on the ascent as well,” Busby said.
“We've been watching them in other group stages to progress. They're one of the best eight teams in the region and so we came to a good crowd, great atmosphere. Panamanians came out and supported their team in numbers,” the Reggae Girlz boss continued.
“They've also got a fantastic coach, so I must say that as well. So, yeah, looking forward to the next game.”
On Saturday, Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz came away with a 1-1 draw against South Africa in a closed-door friendly ahead of the latter’s participation in the World Cup this week.
Dwayne Atkinson scored for Jamaica.