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Dr Michelle Holt

Shayne Fairman, Star Writer

Jamaica's women were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by the Dominican Republic in their first match of the Federation of International Hockey (FIH) World League round one qualifying series, which was played at the Mona Hockey Field in St Andrew yesterday.

Team Jamaica, seeking a favourable result, had the worst possible start when Yaniret De La Cruz scored the opening goal in minute 25, for the visitors.

The women, who went into the second half a goal down and hoping to recover, could not, despite having a few shots on their opponents' goal. After the half time break, Lucia Navamuel Micel doubled Dominica's lead in minute 38. The goal seemed to stun the Jamaicans and the Dominican's after dominating possession, saw Lucia Navamuel score their third goal in the 68th minute.

Different unit

Coach Michelle Holt admitted the team was beaten not just by goals scored, but experience and superiority.

"We were beaten by a superior team. They were technically better than we are," Holt said. She added that the players seemed a different unit in practice and on the field of play. "We were under pressure from the start and our ball skills that we practiced for months didn't come to the fore," Holt said.

Holt, however, contends all is not lost, and vows to overcome defeat. She hopes her team can be more competitive going forward.

"They were nervous, and it is understandable, because we have not played an international match in four years. The ladies can only get better, improve and move forward from here. We will definitely learn from this experience," she stressed. In the days' other game Trinidad and Tobago romped to a 5-1 win over Puerto Rico.

Team Jamaica's men will start their search for a win later today, when they play Barbados at 4:30 p.m.