Jodi-Ann Mc Gregor and Donnakay Henry scored a goal each as Jamaica's "Reggae Girls" blanked Haiti 2-0 in their Group A decider of the inaugural Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Women's Cup at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, on Saturday.
With the win, its third from as many matches for maximum nine points, Jamaica secured a spot in tomorrow's final of the eight-team tournament at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo from 7.15pm against the winner of Group A, which was determined last night when unbeaten duo, host T&T and Martinique faced off at Mucurapo.
On Saturday at Couva, the "Reggae Girlz" went into the contest needing a draw to finish top of the group as they led the Haitians on goal-difference while the latter needed a victory.
Both teams started brightly with high energy, as fans and neutral supporters were given a quality display of football and the neutrals had something to cheer about along with the Jamaican supporters when Mc Gregor,curled a free-kick past Haitian goalkeeper Kencia Marseille in the eight minute for a 1-0 lead.
Despite the early setback, the Haitians did not drop their heads and pressed for the equaliser, even having a shout for a penalty in the 24th minute waived off as the "Reggae Girlz" managed to keep a clean slate into the interval.
The second-half was a much even tighter battle with Henry converting a second for the Jamaicans in the 81st to put the match beyond the Haitians and with it, a spot in Tuesday's final.
Haiti, meanwhile will meet the loser of the T&T/Martinique contest in Tuesday's third placed encounter from 5pm, with all four teams involved on the day already certain of qualification to the Concacaf Women's Final in the USA from October 16 to 26 from where the top three teams will qualify for the 2015 Fifa Women's World Cup in Canada.
The fourth placed Concacaf team have another chance to qualify for Canada, but will need to overcome the third placed South American finisher in a home-and-away playoff.
In Saturday's opener, Puerto Rico ended its involvement on a high with a 5-1 whipping of Bermuda led by a double from Karina Socarras in the 13th and 76th minute while Zahimara Fantauzzi (15th), Scout Benson (45th), and Marina Aquino, from the penalty-spot in the 82nd minute.
Bermuda's late bright spark in the contest came in the 16th minute when Puerto Rico's Miosoty Garcia turned the ball into her own net.
Also already through to the Concacaf Final Round are host USA and Mexico, who both received byes where they will be joined by Costa Rica and Guatemala, the winner and runner-up of Central America qualifying.
Admission to tomorrow's double-header at Mucurapo is $50 anywhere.
Results & Standings
2014 Caribbean Football Union Women's Cup
Group A results:
Puerto Rico 5 (Karina Socarras 13th, 76th, Zahimara Fantauzzi 15th, Scout Benson 45th, Marina Aquino 82nd pen) vs Bermuda 1 (Miosoty Garcia 16th o.g)
Jamaica 2 (Jodi-Ann Mc Gregor 8th, Donnakay Henry 81st) vs Haiti 0
Final Group A standings:
Teams P W D L F A Pts
Jamaica 3 3 0 0 15 2 9
Haiti 3 2 0 1 9 3 6
P/Rico 3 1 0 2 6 9 3
Bermuda 3 0 0 3 3 19 0