Jamaica selects experienced U20 girls squad for FIFA Women World U20 qualifiers

By Sports Desk February 21, 2022

Jamaica has selected an experienced 20-player squad to compete at the 2022 CWU20 qualifiers in the Dominican Republic from February 25 to March 12 as it bids to qualify for FIFA Women’s World Under 20 Championship.

The squad is scheduled to depart Jamaica on February 24.

Fifteen of the players are currently based in North America, chief among them Nevillegail Able, Christina Salmon and Shania Harris who all excelled locally before departing for college in the United States. The squad also includes five local-based players - Shaneil Buckley, Daihla Whyte, Andrene Smith, Davia Richards and Javanae Jones.

Nine players have represented Jamaica at either the Under-15, Under 17 or Under 20 age group levels.

The full squad comprises Maliah Atkins, Alexia Spencer, Peyton McNamara, Shaneil Buckley, Nevillegail Able, Daihla Whyte, Alexis Wright, Andrene Smith, Zoe Vidaurre, Christina Salmon, Chantelle Parker, Anabel Moore, Kameron Simmonds, Mia Mitchell, Davia Richards, Serena Mensah, Liya Brooks, Shania Harris, Theanna Burnett and Javanae Jones.

The CWU20 Championships will be contested over two rounds, beginning with a 16-team group stage.

The top three teams in each group will advance to the knockout stage, joining the four best teams from their respective qualifiers. Bermuda (Group A), Cayman Islands (Group B), Curacao (Group C) and Suriname (Group D) were the group winners that qualified directly for the 2022 CWU20 Round of 16 via the Qualifying tournament.

Jamaica plays in Group H alongside Haiti, Guatemala and Cuba

Jamaica will open its campaign against Guatemala on February 26 before taking on Cuba on February 28. They conclude group play against Haiti on March 2.

The United States are the current champions of the CWU20 after defeating Mexico 4-1 in the 2020 Final.

 

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