Canada takes 2-0 lead over Jamaica in first leg of CONCACAF Olympic Playoff
Canada, reigning Olympic champions, are one step closer to Paris 2024 after defeating Jamaica in Kingston.
Canada's are one up on Jamaica after winning the opening game of the women's 2023 CONCACAF Olympic Play-In series 2-0 in Kingston on Friday, 22 September.
The winner of the football series will obtain the final CONCACAF quota for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and a spot at the inaugural CONCACAF W Gold Cup, set to start in February 2024**.**
Team Canada, the reigning Olympic champions, look to defend their spot on top of the Olympic podium, while Jamaica are trying to become the first women’s football team to represent a Caribbean nation at an Olympic Games.
The Canadians took an early lead on Friday night after Nichelle Prince made a header to score the first goal just 18 minutes in. They maintained control before Adriana Leon solidified the win with another goal three minutes into stoppage.
Canada outshot Jamaica 16-11 and held 57 per cent possession throughout the game.
After a disappointing 2023 FIFA World Cup campaign that left Canada stunned after they failed to progress out of the group stage, the reigning Olympic champions are 90 minutes away from securing their quota to Paris 2024.
“The job is only half done and with the Olympic Games on the line, we have to be ready because the second match is going to be just as difficult to get a result,” Bev Priestman, head coach of Canada's women’s team, told Canada Soccer.
Away goals count for double in the event of a tie, so for Jamaica to stay in the running, they will have to post a score of three higher than Canada, or two to go into penalty shootouts.
Canada vs. Jamaica History
Canada remains the favorite to win the series, as they just won their tenth consecutive game against Jamaica.
The Reggae Girlz are coming off of a historic year after becoming the first Caribbean team to make it to the knockout round at the Women's World Cup, where they fell 1-0 to Colombia in the round of 16. Just four years prior, they became the first Caribbean nation to participate in the Women’s World Cup.
Canada have not seen as bright of a season, but are aiming to return to the Olympic stage where they have seen great success.
Picking up a medal at the last three consecutive Olympics, they will have to keep their lead over Jamaica to maintain this streak and defend their title.
The second and final match of the series will be played at the BMO Field in Toronto in front of a sold-out crowd on Tuesday, 26 September at 19:00 ET.
As National Olympic Committees have the exclusive authority for the representation of their respective countries at the Olympic Games, athletes’ participation at the Paris Games depends on their NOC selecting them to represent their delegation at Paris 2024.