Jamaica can qualify for the Women’s World Cup knockout stages with a draw in their final Group F game against Brazil after beating Panama 1-0 in Perth.
Allyson Swaby scored a second-half header to earn the Caribbean side their first-ever Women’s World Cup victory, and boost their hopes of advancing to the last 16. The result also means Panama cannot progress out of the group.
In a scoreless first half, Jamaica dominated in attack and continually kept Panama goalkeeper Yenith Bailey busy, peppering the goal without success. On the stroke of half-time, a massive chance went begging when Bailey stretched to get a fingertip to midfielder Drew Spence’s free-kick to keep the islanders frustrated.
Competing in their first World Cup, Panama played with renewed vigour in the 10 minutes after the break and forward Lineth Cedeno misdirected a header which would have been her country’s first goal in the showpiece event.
Jamaica absorbed the pressure though, and in the 56th minute Trudi Carter fired in a low corner kick to Swaby – captaining Jamaica after Khadija Shaw was red-carded during their 0-0 draw with France – who duly capitalised.
The Reggae Girlz protected their lead for the remainder of the game, and despite a few nervy moments in stoppage time held on to celebrate their first World Cup victory.
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“I think there was some wastefulness in front of goal. I didn’t think we were clinical,” the Jamaica coach, Lorne Donaldson, said afterwards. “But we got the one that counted and that’s all that matters right now.”
Jamaica will face off with Brazil in Melbourne on Wednesday and are yet to concede a goal at the tournament. Panama’s final match comes against France in Sydney.
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