Shaw hat-trick powers four-goal Jamaica women past Antigua as leaders hail home display

Jamaica’s senior women put four goals past Antigua and Barbuda in front of a buoyant home crowd, with Bunny Shaw claiming a treble while staff underlined both the result and the volume of chances created.

Head coach Lorne Donaldson told media he was satisfied with the outcome yet still hungry for more ruthlessness, pointing to 36 attempts at goal with 14 on frame. He praised the leadership group for steadying the side and singled out Shaw as the world’s top number nine in his view, crediting her for dragging the team over the line while drawing the defence’s attention. He also highlighted Atlanta Primus for covering ground in central areas equivalent to several players’ workload.

Shaw said the win mattered most and that the unit had aimed for a disciplined display, learning from earlier slips. She accepted that as a forward she is expected to convert and that nights like this fit that remit even when everything does not click. On national-team aims she spoke of reconnecting with supporters at home after a difficult period for the men’s programme, stressing pride in the turnout and promising a sharper showing next time.

Primus welcomed the three points, agreed the side could have been more clinical, and said performing at home in front of local fans carried extra meaning before the next assignment.

Donaldson answered questions on service into Shaw by noting the wider plan is to fashion chances for a reliable scorer while staying unpredictable in attack; he mentioned several efforts striking the woodwork and framed that as part of football when creation remains high. Shaw said chemistry with newer faces will deepen through training.

On tactical tweaks he explained a half-time change brought on an experienced partner for Primus to unlock a stubborn defence, and he valued Mimi van Zanten’s impact higher up the pitch. He defended an aggressive home shape designed to seize initiative. He declined to spell out every flank instruction but acknowledged productive use of the left while insisting balance remains the aim, and he commended Tierna Harris for integrating quickly after scoring on debut in Trinidad.

Shaw traced the programme’s rise from the 2019 World Cup cycle, when barely anyone played professionally, to a present roster spread across elite leagues, arguing that exposure sharpens international performances. She looked ahead to a third consecutive World Cup campaign under a new coaching approach and saluted Shawdae Shaw for becoming the first Jamaican woman to 50 senior caps while praising her defensive consistency.

Donaldson closed by stressing collective resilience after Shaw’s withdrawal, naming senior figures through the spine and noting Kayla McKenna’s contribution plus a penalty won while a player short late on as proof the roster, not one star, must carry the World Cup push.