Jamaica digs deep for overtime win over Costa Rica to claim 3rd place in CWC
July 19 – Jamaica took third place in the Concacaf W Championship with a goal from Kalyssa Vanzanten in extra time for a 1-0 win over Costa Rica at a BBVA stadium in Monterrey, Mexico.
Jamaica were the big success story of this championship, starting with a surprise 1-0 victory over hosts Mexico and ending with a World Cup qualification for the second time in a row - no other nation of the Caribbean has qualified for a men's or women's tournament. Twice World Cup - and a place on the podium.
It was tough for a Costa Rican side who had played exciting attacking football throughout the tournament, but ultimately didn't have enough to counter the strength and physique of a Jamaican side who - having the opportunity to continue to grow - could be a surprise package in Australia/New Zealand 2023.
Both teams had been well beaten 3-0 in their semi-final clashes with the United States and Canada, but both had lacked key players.
Costa Rica, who lead 4-3 in ties between these nations, made only one change to their starting XI in the three-match group stage. For the third-place play-off, they returned to this formation with two changes, including the arrival of Maria Paula Salas up front.
Jamaica was without its captain and the tournament's star striker, Khadeja Shaw, for its semi-final against Canada. She was back for the play-offs and for the first time was Liverpool midfielder Jade Bailey, who had finally been cleared by FIFA to take part in the tournament. Bailey's presence as a deep central midfielder allowed Drew Spence, Trudi Carter and Jody Brown to push further up the pitch to support Shaw. North Carolina Courage's Havana Solaun and Ranger's Kayla McCoy fell to the bench.
Costa Rica started well with two benches of four behind Maria Paula Salas and a traveling Raquel Rodriguez.
In the third minute, Jamaican keeper Rebecca Spencer was forced to drive a shot over the bar. In the sixth minute, a long ball from Miriana Benavides saw Melissa Herrera break through a static Jamaican central defense to thwart the offside trap before pushing her shot painfully wide of Spencer's goal.
Costa Rica were constantly looking to move the ball into space for their forwards to run over, knowing they didn't have the physicality of the Jamaicans.
Jamaica began to build their own possession, unafraid to engage attackers in the Costa Rican penalty area. It was an engagement that left them open at the back.
As the half progressed, Rodriguez began to exert his influence, with Costa Rica looking more threatening the wider they played, especially with Herrera on the right stretching a Jamaican defense that was more comfortable defending narrowly and attacking in the middle.
In the 40th minute, Rodriguez rolled over on the edge of the box in space and fired a shot. It was the third good chance lost by the Costa Ricans.
Jamaica responded with the tireless run of Jody Brown who burst into the box but bounced her cross towards her and rebounded.
In injury time, Atlanta Primus and Shaw both missed shots. Costa Rica went straight to the other end and won a corner but blew it.
In te...
July 19 – Jamaica took third place in the Concacaf W Championship with a goal from Kalyssa Vanzanten in extra time for a 1-0 win over Costa Rica at a BBVA stadium in Monterrey, Mexico.
Jamaica were the big success story of this championship, starting with a surprise 1-0 victory over hosts Mexico and ending with a World Cup qualification for the second time in a row - no other nation of the Caribbean has qualified for a men's or women's tournament. Twice World Cup - and a place on the podium.
It was tough for a Costa Rican side who had played exciting attacking football throughout the tournament, but ultimately didn't have enough to counter the strength and physique of a Jamaican side who - having the opportunity to continue to grow - could be a surprise package in Australia/New Zealand 2023.
Both teams had been well beaten 3-0 in their semi-final clashes with the United States and Canada, but both had lacked key players.
Costa Rica, who lead 4-3 in ties between these nations, made only one change to their starting XI in the three-match group stage. For the third-place play-off, they returned to this formation with two changes, including the arrival of Maria Paula Salas up front.
Jamaica was without its captain and the tournament's star striker, Khadeja Shaw, for its semi-final against Canada. She was back for the play-offs and for the first time was Liverpool midfielder Jade Bailey, who had finally been cleared by FIFA to take part in the tournament. Bailey's presence as a deep central midfielder allowed Drew Spence, Trudi Carter and Jody Brown to push further up the pitch to support Shaw. North Carolina Courage's Havana Solaun and Ranger's Kayla McCoy fell to the bench.
Costa Rica started well with two benches of four behind Maria Paula Salas and a traveling Raquel Rodriguez.
In the third minute, Jamaican keeper Rebecca Spencer was forced to drive a shot over the bar. In the sixth minute, a long ball from Miriana Benavides saw Melissa Herrera break through a static Jamaican central defense to thwart the offside trap before pushing her shot painfully wide of Spencer's goal.
Costa Rica were constantly looking to move the ball into space for their forwards to run over, knowing they didn't have the physicality of the Jamaicans.
Jamaica began to build their own possession, unafraid to engage attackers in the Costa Rican penalty area. It was an engagement that left them open at the back.
As the half progressed, Rodriguez began to exert his influence, with Costa Rica looking more threatening the wider they played, especially with Herrera on the right stretching a Jamaican defense that was more comfortable defending narrowly and attacking in the middle.
In the 40th minute, Rodriguez rolled over on the edge of the box in space and fired a shot. It was the third good chance lost by the Costa Ricans.
Jamaica responded with the tireless run of Jody Brown who burst into the box but bounced her cross towards her and rebounded.
In injury time, Atlanta Primus and Shaw both missed shots. Costa Rica went straight to the other end and won a corner but blew it.
In te...
What's Your Reaction?
