Busby expects tougher test against Nicaragua

Following their 18-0 win over Dominica to open their campaign, Reggae Girlz head coach Hubert Busby Jr said it will be a tougher test when they next face Nicaragua.

The Reggae Girlz will face the Central Americans on March 2 at the Nicaragua National Stadium in their second match of Group B.

It will be an early top-of-the-table clash as Nicaragua lead the group with six points from two games, ahead of Jamaica who sit second with three points.

"We know it'll be a different match and a little bit more of a challenge," Busby said while naming the squad at a press conference yesterday.

"They are a better quality opposition based on their rankings and obviously, coming in, they're leading the group ... with two wins so it'll be a much harder game."

Nicaragua scored back-to-back 4-0 and 3-1 wins over Antigua and Barbuda and Guyana, respectively.

Busby said with Nicaragua having played one more than Jamaica, it has allowed him and his management staff to assess their opponents ahead of their clash.

"We've done our work as a staff," he explained. "The good thing is we've been able to watch them two games leading into ours."

"There are some quality players on their squad so we've got a match plan that we're going to look to execute in the four days we have as a lead into the match."

He continued: "I think ... for us right now (it's really about) making sure that we remain true to our principles of play, remain true to our style, our mindset and our discipline in terms of how we go about executing."

The winner of the group from the Concacaf W Qualifiers will advance to the Concacaf W Championships to compete for a spot in the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup, as well as the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com