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WORLD CUP MAGIC: A trio of happy fans

JAMAICA’S REGGAE Girlz and their supporters illuminated the French city of Grenoble when they made their FIFA World Cup bow on June 9.

Despite a 3-0 loss against rampant Brazil, the Girlz’ legion of supporters took great pride in the team’s all-round performance. A crowd of 17,600 crammed into the Stade Auguste Delaune in Grenoble and painted a magnificent picture with both sides’ national colours featuring bright yellow.

The Reggae Girlz might have lost their opening fixture but they won the ‘battle of the fans’ as they outnumbered their South American counterparts and out-sang them, too, on what was a special day for the Caribbean out t and their supporters.

Jamaican fans from around the world descended on sleepy Grenoble, including a coach
party organised by Jamaica National (JN), who are among the Reggae Girlz’ official sponsors.

Star of the show for the victors was veteran forward Cristiane who bagged a hat trick. The 34-year-old was just too hot to handle. She was aided and abetted by some poor Jamaican defending, but she was sharp as a razor throughout the contest.

Her treble was Brazil’s first FIFA Women’s World Cup hat trick since Sissi and Pretinha
both registered three times in a thrashing of Mexico in 1999. In truth, the scoreline could have been far worse for the Girlz, who are coached by Hue Menzies.

The Reggae Girlz’ starting XI

The Brazil No11 – and some of her teammates – were denied time and again by Jamaican goalkeeper Sydney Sch- neider. The impressive stopper, who plays her club football for the University of North Carolina, was the woman of the match.

The 19-year-old made save after save and denied Brazil’s Andressa from the penalty spot during the first period.

While Cristiane starred for Brazil, Khadija Shaw showed her class, too. The 22-year-old showed just why French club Bordeaux recently acquired her services on a two-year contract.

Shaw, full of pace power and skill, was well marshalled by Brazil’s defenders, but the Jamaican striker will still have felt she should have found the back of the net on a couple of occasions.

All is not lost for the Reggae Girlz, however. Next up for them is Italy on June 14 followed by Australia four days later. The match against the Italians is a must-win match.

And after the heroics and ghting spirit they showed against Brazil, no one should rule them out of the FIFA Women’s World Cup just yet – just ask their fans!

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