GORDON WILLIAMS, Star Writer

KANSAS CITY, United States:

Jamaica kick started its 2015 World Cup qualifying bid with a resounding 6-0 win over Martinique in the CONCACAF Women's Championships yesterday.

But the Reggae Girlz were left to rue numerous missed scoring chances at Sporting Park, which could prove pivotal when the final Group B standings are decided after games against Costa Rica and Mexico.

Goals by Christina Murray (2nd minute), Shakira Duncan (6th) and Donna-Kay Henry (22nd) gave Jamaica a comfortable first half advantage. Another triple late in the second half, via substitute Alexa Allen (71st), "Woman of the Match" Murray (74th) and Henry (77th) sealed the dominating win.

But while head coach Merron Gordon appeared pleased Jamaica earned maximum points against Martinique, he too wished the Girlz had found the back of the net more often.

"I think we played a good game in patches," said Gordon. "We had hoped to score some more goals."

Defensively, Jamaica looked solid, with goalkeeper Nicole McClure hardly troubled throughout. The Girlz at times impressively moved the ball from back, forward, shifting gears easily through midfield and attacking along the flanks with speed and skill.

Duncan, despite being guilty of squandering several chances, was Jamaica's most lively and creative player throughout. Yet she and her team stumbled far too often when gifted easy scoring chances.

"The Girlz probably lost focus," said Gordon, who viewed yesterday's performance as a positive start to the tournament, which Jamaica can build on. "We need to stick in there for 90 minutes."

Finishing was faulty

He could not, however, pinpoint exactly why Jamaica's finishing was so faulty.

"I never think a coach can explain why players miss simple chances," Gordon said, suggesting that maybe the Girlz needed "cooler heads around the box".

Overall, the coach chose not to be too tough on his team, confident Jamaica will do better when facing Costa Rica on October 18 in Illinois and Mexico on October 21 in Washington, DC, crucial games which will probably decide if Jamaica advances to the semi-final round in the quest for a place at the 2015 World Cup in Canada.

"Grading them very hard I'd probably give them a C-plus," Gordon said of Jamaica's performance, before adding that he would like that upgraded to "B-plus" for the Girlz' upcoming Central American rivals.

Martinique, on the other dodged what could have been a more humiliating defeat. Technical director Charlaine Marie Jeanne admitted the team was overmatched after arriving here the day before the game due to travel delays.

"(Jamaica) is a very good team," said Jeanne, who expressed admiration for the Girlz' speed, agility and ability to keep possession of the ball. "A lot of quality, tactics and physicality."