U17 Girlz not worried about Dom Rep, Canada

National Under-17 Reggae Girlz midfielder Maya Raghunandanan says that the team has no reason to be intimidated as they look to continue their strong start to the Concacaf Under-17 Women's Championship.

Jamaica will face host nation the Dominican Republic today at 6 p.m. Jamaica time, in their second group game at the Felix Sanchez Olympic Stadium, looking to build on their 7-0 win over Bermuda on Sunday in their Group F opener. Raghunandanan had a brace in the seventh and 65th minutes and was supported with goals from Avery Johnson in the 12th, Tiny Seaton in the 16th, Tyesha Nelson in the 47th, Shaneil Buckley in the 78th, and Natoya Atkinson in the 83rd.

It is a win that has taken them one step towards qualification for the knockout stages as they chase one of the three spots for this year's FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup in India.

Raghunandanan, who is one of the four overseas-based players in the squad, said that, despite the challenge of facing the Dominican Republic in their home environment, she has confidence in her team's abilities, based on their attacking display on Sunday.

"I'm feeling good," she said after the game on Sunday. "We are a really good team. Today was a really good game. I think the Dominican Republic is going to be tough because it is their home stadium, but that just makes it even more fun."

The young Reggae Girlz took a 3-0 lead into the break and continued the offensive onslaught, which saw no answer from the Bermudans.

"In the first 15 minutes, we pushed really hard," Raghunandanan said. "We were able to get up 3-0 and then we were able to relax and went into our game plan. We did exactly what the coach told us to do and it paid off and it worked."

The Dominican Republic lost their group opener 10-0 to Canada on Sunday, putting them currently at the bottom of the group. While Jamaica and Canada are tied with three points, Canada leads the group with a strong goal difference (+10). Raghunandanan said that the Girlz have the ability to match the Dominicans but also Canada in their final group game on Thursday.

"Canada is going to be tough as well," she said. "But I think that we can take them all if we play the way we played (on Sunday)."

The top three from the group will advance to the knockout round of the tournament.

- D.W.