In the Women’s World Cup 2023, Jamaica achieved a historic milestone as the first Caribbean nation to advance to the knockout phase, resulting in Brazil’s elimination from the tournament. Prior to Wednesday’s 0-0 stalemate in Melbourne, Jamaica had never advanced past the group stage of a World Cup, either the men’s or the women’s.
Success for the ‘Reggae Girlz’ has been based on resolute defending which has seen Jamaica become one of just three teams to collect three consecutive clean sheets – Japan and Switzerland are the other two nations.
Jamaica’s manager Lorne Donaldson sprinted onto the pitch before finding himself on the turf after attempting a cartwheel and was then mobbed by his victorious players. There were also tears and a sense of disbelief from the Jamaican squad as the reality of its achievement set in.
A great step since 1995
The South American team exited the World Cup group stage for the first time since 1995, disappointing women across Brazil.
“I tell you what, this is one of the best feelings I’ve had in my life,” Donaldson told ITV. “Just to see these girls and to see a country like Jamaica be able to do this, it’s unbelievable to just watch it while I’m alive right here standing. I thank the girls for doing this for the country and the country should be proud.
“The resilience, the fight. It’s a war, we know it’s a war, we’re going into a war and we have to be ready and it was a war and we stayed in the battle and we won the war. But we have some more work to do but we’ll just enjoy tonight.
“I did a cartwheel but I don’t know if it was a good one. I need a cup of beer and I’m good. I’m not a big drinker. I will enjoy.”