The senior national football team are hoping to win the opening match against Suriname tonight in the CONCACAF Caribbean Women’s qualifiers in Guyana.
Technical director Ahmed Mohamed told MIDWEEK SPORT he was looking for victory following the team’s 7-0 loss to Cuba, and 3-2 loss to hosts Jamaica in last month’s Caribbean Football Union Women’s Challenge Series.
“It is quite equal between us, Suriname and Bermuda. The top of the group, in my eyes, are Guyana because they’re coming with 16 Canadians, one from Singapore, and one from the USVI. They recently lost 3-1 to Trinidad and Tobago, so they’re pretty strong. I do not fear any of them, and my job is to make sure we come back with a positive, good result,” he said.
With three new inclusions, Mohamed said he had an experienced team with a mix of seniors and Under-17s. The team will see the return of Alderson Broaddus University’s Jeneva Miller, former Purdue University midfielder Soraya Toppin-Herbert, and Tottenham Hotspur Ladies Football Club’s Shakira Waithe.
“I have a positive feeling about this tournament,” he said.
Barbados will also face Bermuda on Friday and the Guyana “Lady Jags” on Sunday at the National Track And Field Centre in Leonora.
Meanwhile, the men’s senior national team are in training ahead of their international friendly against Belize at the Wildey AstroTurf on June 3. (RA)
Team: Gabriella Lopez, Rhea Holder, Kerry Bascombe, Jeneva Miller, Ashanee Thompson, Giselle Fields, Shonna Evelyn, Shanice Servenson, Felicia Jarvis, Shonelle Als, Shonelle Stephens, Caitlyn Padmore, Rianna Cyrus, Shakira Waithe, Nashandi Clarke, Cadijah Mars, Soraya Toppin-Herbert, Chante Padmore, Amber Di Dilvia, Marissa King.
Officials: Ahmed Mohamed (technical director), Thomas Jordan (head coach), Curtis Brathwaite (assistant coach), Nicole Britton (team manager), Trudy Bullen (medic).