Dominica’s Senior Women’s National Football team set to face Guyana next week

Dominica’s Senior Women’s National Football Squad is preparing for their upcoming match against Guyana, scheduled for Friday, February 27, as part of the second round of CONCACAF qualifiers.

After suffering a heavy 18-0 defeat in their initial qualifying game against Jamaica, the coaching staff has stepped up their training efforts, focusing on tactical discipline, precision in execution, and better overall game management, said a DFA press release.

Assistant Coach Sheldon Casimir, speaking prior to the team’s departure, acknowledged that although the result against Jamaica was disappointing, it offered  important learning opportunities. He explained that training sessions have become more focused and analytical as they gear up for the match against Guyana.

“The first match against Jamaica was definitely a devastating defeat. I mean, by no means I want to make excuses, but we were facing a very formidable opponent in Jamaica, which was put in place for the past few years now to bring them to that elite status. We’re still in a nuclear state of women’s football development.

And although we conceded many goals, I feel the area that we need to work on is the area that we were strongest in that game, is our defense. So we need to step up on the defense a bit more. We also need to step up in terms of mental awareness and also to ensure that we can develop our fitness levels. I feel this is the only area against these formidable teams that we can try and get as close to the level that they are as possible in terms of fitness. So this has been one of
the main areas that we’ve been working on, trying to build up the physical fitness and endurance, speed and agility of the girls, and also to ensure that in terms of defense, keeping our defensive shape.”

The team’s training has also targeted better transition play both offensively and defensively, as well as enhancing communication on the field.

“The team needs to communicate a bit more. We do have a situation where we have about six or seven players coming in from overseas to join the team. And the time that we have to prepare with those other players is very limited. So
this is something that we’re trying to work on. At least on this trip, we’re going to have a few more days to see how the girls can gel, and also how we can fit in the players that are coming in to complement those that we have already in terms of positioning on the field, to have the best possible team feel on the day of the match.”

Casimir also highlighted the importance of reviewing game footage as part of their preparation, though he admitted it’s been a challenge.

“Yeah, I think one of the areas where we are definitely lacking is the possibility of doing proper match analysis and reviews for a number of reasons. The team does not get to play that much together. So to review matches, recent matches, we only have the recent WIFA tournament and also the game against Jamaica, which has provided some insight in terms of where we need to work on. I would love for the opportunity for us to have played more practice matches where we could actually sit down, record and review those practice matches. But the situation at hand does not allow for this right now…I think that’s the way forward. The more games that the girls play together as a unit, the better that we can review and analyze those matches,”  he stated.

Maintaining team morale remains a priority for the coaching staff. Casimir emphasized that overcoming the psychological impact of their recent loss is vital.

“At the end of the day, defeat against Jamaica, it was demoralizing. Nobody can say that that was not a demoralizing defeat. Nobody can leave that game feeling like they’re in good spirits at the end of it. So we basically had to try and raise the psyche of the girls, let them know that this is just one step in the journey towards trying to develop what Dominican football can and should be for the women. And at the end of the day, I feel this is one of the areas maybe we have to look into bringing in professionals to work on the psychology of players. And it’s not only for women’s football. I think it’s for football in general.”

He added,“We expect our players to perform as top athletes, but we are not training their minds and the mindset to be top athletes. It’s like trying always to give them a boost of morale, always try and let them tap into the positive energies
that their mind can create. Because at the end of the day, once the negativity starts to creep in, it chips away slowly but surely. So keeping [a] positive mindset to just get better one day at a time. Once you’re better today than you were yesterday and you plan on being better tomorrow than you are today, I think you’re moving in the right direction.”

The team is scheduled to depart Dominica on Monday, February 23. The Dominica Football Association urges supporters both locally and abroad to continue backing the Senior Women’s National Team as they pursue their qualification ambitions.