
Preview: Panama Women vs. Jamaica Women
After collecting a hard-earned point against France in their opening game, Jamaica Women will be looking to pick up a victory when they face Panama Women on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Panama will be hoping to get off the mark after beginning the Women’s World Cup 2023 with a heavy 4-0 defeat to Brazil.
Panama’s debut at the Women’s World Cup proved to be a chastening experience as they were comfortably swept aside by Brazil.
An Ary Borges hat-trick and a Bia Zaneratto goal condemned Panama to a 4-0 defeat, leaving them bottom of Group F after the first round of matches.
Ignacio Quintana’s side have now lost their last three matches by a combined 16-0 scoreline, highlighting the improvement that is needed at both ends of the pitch if they are to compete with Jamaica and France in their next two games.
Prior to those three losses, Panama enjoyed an encouraging run of results, recording 10 wins in 14 games (D2, L2), and they will be hoping to rediscover that form on Saturday.
Las Canaleras know that they will be eliminated with a game to play if they lose to the Reggae Girlz on Matchday Two.
Jamaica, meanwhile, put in an impressive performance in their opening fixture to claim their first point at a Women’s World Cup.
The Reggae Girlz knew that they would have their work cut out against a French side that are ranked 38 places above them in the FIFA Rankings.
Despite finishing the game with 10 players following Khadija Shaw’s late red card, Jamaica held firm to frustrate France and ensure that the contest finished goalless.
With Jamaica dreaming of reaching the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time, they have the chance to move into the top two of the group on Saturday.
If they claim all three points at the Perth Rectangular Stadium, they would go into their final group game against Brazil in one of the top two positions.
Panama Women Women’s World Cup form:
L
Jamaica Women Women’s World Cup form:
D
We say: Panama Women 0-2 Jamaica Women
Jamaica will have to find a way to score goals without the benefit of having Shaw in their side, but we still believe that they have enough quality in their squad to find a way past Panama and claim their first victory at a World Cup finals.