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Spence says Girlz believed in themselves
August 03, 2023
Jamaica's goalkeeper at the FIFA Women's World Cup, Rebecca Spence, posits that the Reggae Girlz were confident that, accomplishing the feat of stopping their opponents from scoring, they had a good chance of booking their place in the round of 16 for the first.
Spence has been one of only three goalkeepers not to concede at the tournament, and the Tottenham Hotspur shot-stopper was once again in sparkling form yesterday, as the Girlz drew 0-0 with Brazil in their final Group F game with a third clean sheet in three games.
In the process, they sent Brazil packing and booked their place in the round of 16, and, according to Spence, the other teams failed to take the Girlz as a threat.
"It was a team performance from everyone involved, and we were well prepared defensively, and showed that against France and Panama in previous games, how strong we are defensively and that we are really hard to beat.
"I have said all along that if we do not concede, it gives us a fighting chance to win and draw games and for us, we defended brilliantly (against Brazil), and I was proud of every single player," she said.
"I thought we had been hugely underestimated. Obviously, with the noise going on outside on us and the lack of (practice) matches we had coming into the tournament, I don't think anyone took us seriously.
"As a group, we have a togetherness and a family bond and are resilient and have a point to prove.
"For months, we have been saying that we are going to get out of the group, and we have proven just that, and I am so proud of everyone sticking together and having that mentality," she stated.
As she had been in the first two games, Spencer was a trusted pair of hands for the Reggae Girlz against Brazil, making several saves to deny their opponents while reacting quickly to turn away an Allyson Swaby miscued effort out of her goal.
Spencer hopes the Reggae Girlz are making a lasting impression on young Jamaican children.
"We are inspiring a generation. For a third world country and a Caribbean team, it shows, we are catching up with the other teams and showing what can be done.
"As a group of players and staff, we are leading the way. At the moment, we are just showing the young children and players out in Jamaica what can be achieved," she commented.
The Reggae Girlz will play Colombia in the round of 16 on Tuesday.
