Jamaica want more as Canada promise to stay focused

July 14 - Jamaica made Caribbean football history by becoming the first men's or women's team in the region to qualify for two World Cups. After tasting that success, she says she wants more and can go further in Concacaf. Championship W.

Jamaica will face Olympic champions Canada tonight in the semi-finals at the Estadio Universitario in Monterrey following a 4-0 dismantling of Costa Rica. Canada are yet to concede a goal, having scored nine themselves.

In Jamaica, against whom Canada has never lost, they know they are facing a very different opponent than they faced in their group games and they do not underestimate the threat posed by Jamaica.

“The Jamaica we played in 2010 is not the Jamaica we will play tomorrow. score week after week for Manchester City," said Canada coach Bev Priestman. Shaw has scored three times in three games at Monterrey.

“We're going to bring our style that allows us to have more of the ball. We're going to focus on what's in front of us,” Priestman said.

While she focused on her team, there was the off-field distraction of players essentially issuing a vote of no confidence in their federation over an ongoing World Cup payout negotiation.

Not letting this distraction affect their performance will be important for a team who say they have ambitions to take a big step beyond their Olympic gold medal at the 2023 World Cup in Australia/New Zealand.

Canadian midfielder Quinn said in a pre-match press conference: "Expectations for this team have increased. Since the first bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics, we have put ourselves more pressure and the challenge is to be on top of the world."

Jamaica had its own challenges with a fractured pre-tournament preparation, with Lorne Donaldson not taking over until June after the team approached the Jamaican FA to request the removal of their coach.

"Obviously it's never a smooth ride and we face challenges and obstacles. The important thing is that we stuck together. The women on this team supported each other. the way we stick together helps us get through this,” said Kayla McCoy, who plays for her football club Rangers in Scotland.

"We are always hungry to win more games and make a name for ourselves on the world stage. We come into this game hungry and see what we can do with it."

Jamaican women would not have come this far without the support of Cedella Marley, a fact recognized by both Donaldson and McCoy.

"Cedella (Marley) has been an important part of the program. Even before we started having success. As individuals and as people, we wouldn't be here without her," McCoy said.

Donaldson said the mood in the camp was naturally good. "The girls have qualified and there is more at stake and we want to get the most out of this tournament."

The key to getting more looks is probably the depth of both teams' benches.

"We played some good stuff and let it all out," Donaldson said.

One of Canada's main offensive strengths is that it is strong on both sides. “Canada will try to support us, but we have to fight against this. We have to match their football and their physical condition,” Donaldson said. "They have a deep roster."

Jamaica improved with every game while Canada dominated games but by their own admission did not convert all their chances into goals. Canada have yet to be properly challenged defensively and Shaw Jamaica have the most imposing center forward in the competition.

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