PERTH, Australia – Goal-scorer Allyson Swaby says Jamaica will now re-train their sights on their do-or-die encounter against Brazil, after pulling off an emotionally charged 1-0 win over Panama in the FIFA Women’s World Cup here Saturday.
Goal-scorer Allyson Swaby (right) celebrates her goal in Saturday’s win over Panama.The 26-year-old center back out-jumped her markers in the 55th minute in the Group F contest at HBF Park, to earn the Reggae Girls their first-ever World Cup win which kept them in contention for the next round of the showpiece.
With the result, Jamaica moved to four points in second spot behind France, who defeated Brazil 2-1 also on Saturday, to go top of the group by virtue of goals scored.
“The result is huge. It keeps us in this group. We’re going to celebrate … and then be focused on our final match against Brazil,” said Swaby, who was adjudged Player-of-the-Match.
“I’m really happy. This has been a rough year for me so on a personal note this is a really big achievement so I’m just happy.”
She added: “I’m just pretty happy and excited for the team that our dreams are still alive and [we’re] just looking forward to the final match now.”
After shocking France with a nil-draw in their opener last week, Jamaica knew a win against fellow CONCACAF side Panama was critical.
And they came out firing, forward Atlanta Primus shaving the crossbar in the 27th minute and Scotland-based Vyan Sampson forcing a spectacular diving save out of Yenith Bailey in the 35th minute with a curling 22-yard volley.
When Tottenham Hotspurs’ Drew Spence struck the bar with her long range free kick on the stroke of half-time, Jamaica had asserted complete control of the contest.
And the breakthrough came inside the first 15 minutes following the resumption, winger Trudi Carter sweeping a corner into the box for Swaby to leap above the Panama defense and glance her header past Bailey.
“I wasn’t thinking much, other than just to contest [the ball] and it found its way into the back of the net,” Swaby said.
Jamaica will now need at least a point from the Brazil fixture in Melbourne on Wednesday, in order to clinch a berth in the second round.
The already eliminated Panama face France in the other game.
“The win is huge for us. It keeps our dream of getting out of this group alive,” Swaby said.
“We have one more game to fight through and we’re happy to be in a position to stay in the tournament.
“Panama played really well. It’s the hardest match we’ve played against them.
“For me, it’s exciting, it shows CONCACAF is growing. I’m really proud of the region and I think this tournament is showing we’re rising to the level of the rest of the world.”
