Jamaica became the first Caribbean nation to qualify for back-to-back senior World Cup tournaments last night with a 4-0 thumping of Haiti in the Concacaf Women’s Championship at the Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico, last night.

The Reggae Girlz finished second in Group A to automatically qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next year. They will join group winners and defending World champions the United States of America, who beat Mexico 1-0 in the other game on the night. Canada and Costa Rica also qualified from Group B.

Khadija Shaw was the standout performer on the night, scoring two goals, and an assist, while Trudi Carter had a goal and an assist, and Drew Spence grabbed the other goal for the Reggae Girlz.

Former Reggae Girlz assistant coach Andrew Price says it was a captain’s performance by Khadija Shaw.

“Cometh the hour, cometh the woman,” Price told STAR Sports. “Shaw had an excellent game. She led from the front with a brace and assist and the rest of the team followed. And it was a good team effort.”

Price says the team showed a champion’s resolve on the night and that he had no doubt about them qualifying.

“We played well, with cohesiveness and belief,” he said. “Credit must be given to the entire coaching staff for getting the team ready after the defeat against the United States.

“But we did it before in 2018 when we lost to them and we regrouped to beat Panama for third place. It was a similar situation and history has proved itself again. We lost to the United States and needed a win against Haiti and we won 4-0. That shows mettle.

“I had no doubt we would qualify. This is a much better squad than we had in 2018. More professional players, more experienced players. I knew they would get the job done.

“They showed heart and courage and the entire Jamaica is proud of them for making it to Australia and New Zealand. I am very proud of what the team did today.”

Jamaica needed a win while Haiti only needed a draw to qualify.

Trudy Carter gave Jamaica the lead when Shaw slipped her a pass in the 26th minute and she fired a low shot into the far corner.

Shaw made it 2-0 in the 57th minute with a shot from outside the box.

She netted her second from the spot after Carter’s shot hit a defender’s hand in the 69th minute.

Spence then headed in the final goal in the 78th minute to secure Jamaica’s place in Australia and New Zealand.

A minute’s silence was observed before kick-off for Jamaica Under-15 player Jedine Carr, who was murdered last Saturday.