Jamaica edged Panama 1-0 in their FIFA Women's World Cup Finals CONCACAF derby at Perth's HBF Park on 29 July, and while 15,987 fans were on hand to witness this auspicious fixture, what unfolded in front of them will never be regarded as memorable. Truth be told, this was a poor advertisement for women's football - the standard, quality and intensity of play this writer sees each Sunday in the Lotto Northern Women's Premiership is far superior to anything these teams produced in this ninety minute duel, which seemed at times like the wild west had rolled into town, so rough and ready was the nature of the contest. "The Reggae Girlz" certainly settled the quicker, with Tiffany Cameron threatening in the seventh minute before Drew Spence and Kayla McKenna combined to carve out an opening for Trudi Carter three minutes later, only for Yomira Pinzon to intervene on a timely basis. "Las Canaleras" then started getting offside with Ukrainian referee Kateryna Monzul due to the nature of their challenges - Deysire Salazar, in particular, was fortunate to avoid the red card during the first spell. Jamaica were unable to capitalise on the opportunities these presented, however, thanks in large part to the efforts of Pinzon. She it was who blocked an Atlanta Primus shot to safety in the nineteenth minute, then hooked a McKenna cross to safety eight minutes later, only for Primus to latch onto it and lash a drive narrowly over the crossbar. Panama finally mustered an attacking threat of note in the 32nd minute, Schiandra Gonzalez rattling the side-netting after skipping past an opponent. That gave the red-clad team courage, and further efforts from Marta Cox and Wendy Natis warmed the gloves of Rebecca Spencer before the half-time whistle. In between these efforts, Jamaica twice went close to breaking the deadlock. Ten minutes before half-time, in the aftermath of having had penalty appeals turned down, Vyan Sampson let rip with a twenty-five yarder which had "top corner" written all over it until Panamanian goalkeeper Yenith Bailey produced a fine flying save to her left to tip the ball away. Ten minutes later, Bailey's fingertips prevented Jamaica from scoring again, Spence the player left frustrated on this occasion as her twenty-five yard free-kick was tipped onto the bar by the goalkeeper, a denial missed by the match officials. Panama was first to threaten after the interval, Lineth Cedeno heading over the bar from close range upon receipt of a cross from her sister, Emily. 'Twas a header which ultimately settled this contest, however, and it materialised in the 56th minute,

with Jamaican captain Alysson Swaby meeting Carter's corner with a glancing header which she expertly guided beyond Bailey and into the bottom far corner of the net. That was the cue for Panama to up the ante, and the hitherto under-utilised Riley Tanner began to play an increasing part in proceedings. In the 68th minute, her whipped cross wasn't cleared by Chantelle Swaby, allowing Cox to let fly from close range. That effort flew narrowly past the post, while no one was on hand to turn home Tanner's tantalising cross fifteen minutes from time, after she had given two opponents the slip. She was then denied in the act of shooting herself by Allyson Swaby's timely tackle, as the goalscorer ensured Jamaica would retain their one-goal lead. Jamaican attacks in the later stages of the match had largely seen their players doing solo charges up cul de sacs, when the utilisation of better-placed team-mates would doubtless have brought far greater reward. Substitute Cheyna Matthews showed that what was possible four minutes from time, buccaneering down the left before cutting inside and battering a shot past the near post, while Peyton McNamara drew another flying save from Bailey three minutes later. But Panama were intent on equalising, and piled on the pressure in the time remaining in search of an elusive goal. Deneisha Blackwood just got away with a defensive blunder with Emily Cedeno bearing down on her, while hesitant defending was almost punished by Tanner as she stole in looking to Katherine Castillo's lobbed cross. Back came Jamaica, referee Monzul awarding them a penalty after Spence's drive struck the arm of Natis as the game entered stoppage time. The Video Assistant Referee assessed the incident, and Monzul eventually reversed her decision, which allowed Panama one last chance to snatch a point. Castillo fired in another cross which Cox met with an acrobatic bicycle kick from the edge of the penalty area. Spencer kept out her effort, in doing so assuring Jamaica of a maiden win at the FIFA Women's World Cup Finals, a feat they'll celebrate long after this tournament has concluded. Panama:     Bailey; Castillo, Natis, Baltrip-Reyes (Jaen, 87), Pinzon, Salazar (booked, 17) (Quintero, 46); E. Cedeno (booked, 13), L. Cedeno (Riley, 65), Gonzalez (Montenegro, 78), Cox; Tanner Jamaica:     Spencer; Cameron (Wiltshire, 87), A. Swaby, C. Swaby, Blackwood (booked, 31); Primus (McNamara, 87), Sampson, Spence; Brown (Washington, 80), McKenna (Simmonds, 80), Carter (Matthews, 65) Referee:     Kateryna Monzul (Ukraine)