Busby happy with ‘versatile’ squad

Reggae Girlz head coach Hubert Busby Jr said one of the defining features of his squad ahead of the final games in the Concacaf W Qualifiers was each player’s versatility, flexibility, and quality on the pitch.

Jamaica will close out Group B action of the W Qualifiers with back-to-back home games against Antigua and Barbuda and Guyana on April 10 and 18, respectively at the National Stadium.

Jamaica sit atop the group with a maximum six points from their two games played and are favourites to advance to the Concacaf W Championship.

Ahead of the fixtures, head coach Busby revealed his 23-player squad, which included several familiar names.

The squad remains largely unchanged from their last meeting against Nicaragua last month, with Jody Brown, Vyan Sampson, Amelia Van Zanten, and Drew Spence being added to the mix.

In return, Konya Plummer, Naya Cardoza, Israela Groves, Tiffany Cameron, and Jade Bailey have made way for the incoming players.

Busby explained that Plummer is out of contention due to injury, with Cardoza and Cameron both out due to preseason commitments with their club, Halifax Tides.

The Reggae Girlz boss said that with the players at his disposal, versatility is the order of the day because they can play more than one position.

“If you look into the squad, the likes of Jody [Brown] and Paige Bailey-Gayle, they’re very flexible. They can play in multiple positions,” he said.

“Kameron Simmons can play in multiple positions, too, so they give us versatility.”

Busby continued, “One of the things going forward is going to be players’ versatility; to be able to play in multiple positions.

“When I say multiple positions, it’s positions that are linked. You’re talking about a fullback moving into a wide midfield role depending on the opposition. A central role, whether we’re playing the block or attacking midfield, you can also, maybe, play out wide in different roles.”

Busby said one of the major advantages of having versatile players is that the team can be more fluid on the field and harder to predict.

He explained that with more options on hand, the team can try different tactics based on their opposition and throughout the game.

“It’s about making sure that we put the players in their best position to get the best out of them and is obviously something that we’re cautious of or conscious of, rather,” he insisted.

“It shows the flexibility and the tactical flexibility of having players like that who can do multiple things at different times. So whether as a fullback or wingback, you know, players who can step into midfield as well like the likes of Jody Brown, as I mentioned, is very crucial because it allows for us to do different things tactically.”

Should Jamaica finish atop Group B, they will advance to the W Championship, which serves as the qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com

Reggae Girlz squad

Goalkeepers: Sydney Schneider, Rebecca Spencer, Liya Brooks

Defenders: Tianna Harris, Chantelle Swaby, Vyan Sampson, Kameron Simmonds, Amelia van Zanten, Allyson Swaby

Midfielders: Olufolasade Adamolekun, Atlanta Primus, Drew Spence, Trudi Carter, Deneisha Blackwood

Attackers: Kayla McKenna, Natasha Thomas, Khadija Shaw, Shania Hayles, Jody Brown, Paige Bailey-Gayle, Solai Washington, Kalyssa Van Zanten, Shaniel Buckley