Jamaica, Paraguay locked at 0-0 at half time

WESTERN BUREAU:

Jamaica had enough chances and should have had a much-deserved lead before Trinidad and Tobago referee Crystal Sobers sounded the whistle for the 0-0 half-time break in their friendly international now on against Paraguay.

On all occasions, however, they were thwarted by the brilliance of Paraguay goalie Alicia Bobadilla, who made a series of outstanding saves at Catherine Hall Stadium in Montego Bay, St James.

Thrice captain Khadija Shaw, the English Women’s Super Premier League Player of the Month, backed up incisive passing from her teammates with superior all-round qualities of pace and skill, to put on finishes that looked like certain goals until Bobadilla’s intervention.

Firstly, at the 16th, Shaw cannoned a left-footed drive off an opportunity generated by Paige Bailey Gayle’s cross, but the keeper made an astounding save from six yards.

Then Siobhan Wilson played through Shaw at the 25th and the Jamaica and Manchester City ace powered away from the central defenders for a one-on-one. However, an over-dribble gave Bobadilla a sniff and she raced off her line to snuff out the chance.

There was more brilliance from Shaw two minutes later, with a beautiful control between the centre halves and goal off Deneisha Blackwood’s pin-point pass. The striker let fly but had no luck as the ball beat the goalie for once, but hammered into an unwelcome impediment – the crossbar.

Before the half ended, at the 44th minute, Jamaica had one more chance to break the deadlock, but Bobadilla, again, spread-eagled to keep out Drew Spence’s grounded effort from an angle, with Bailey Gayle again the provider.

Paraguay never created a scoring chance, for the entire first half, due to the positioning, tackling and general organisation of Jamaica’s defence.

However, the overwhelming ratio of scoring chances did not truly reflect the run of play as the game was quite competitive and full of passion, especially in the middle of the park where a real dogfight ensued.

Paraguay were quite pesky and did a lot of shirt and shorts pulling to make up in areas where they were lacking in strength and pace.

But even then, the Reggae Girlz were always a cut above, especially at the offensive end where they should’ve made a lead by half-time.

Audley.boyd@gleanerjm.com