From Emmerson Campbell in St Lucia
Guyana’s Golden Jaguars opened their Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Cup campaign yesterday with 1-2 defeat to Group Two foe St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SCG) here at the Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia.
Strikes by Myron Samuel (30th minute) and Cornelius Stewart (78th minute) further compounded the Jaguars problems following their disappointing exit in the third round of the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers.
A penalty strike by Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson on the stroke of half time gave the visitors the equalizer and seemed to breathe new life into the Jaguars as they came out attacking in the second half.
Both teams created chances to score but brilliant saves by the custodians Ronson Williams (Guyana) and Kenyan Lynch (St. Vincent) ensured the game remained locked at one-all.
This would change however when Stewart, a left winger, broke down the defence and sent a right foot screamer from just inside the 18-yard box that breached Williams and found the back of the net to put the Windward side up two-one and earn three points.
At the post match press conference, Coach Jamaal Shabazz maintained that all was not lost because the team has two remaining games to register points and be one of two teams to move on to the next round.
“We created much more opportunities but we just didn’t find the back of the net,” said Shabazz.
“This is a group tournament we have two more matches and we just have to put this loss behind us and pick ourselves up and try to get six points and come out of the group.”
Guyana’s next CFU matches with the other Group Two foes are scheduled for the same venue.
Tomorrow the locals will face Curacao while they plays host St Lucia on Thursday.
Meanwhile, St Lucia was ahead two-nil at half time in their game against Curacao last night at the same venue.
Guyana’s starting 11 was Chris Nurse, Gregory Richardson, Ronson Williams (goal keeper), Charles Pollard, Treyon Bobb, Julien Edwards, Konata Mannings, Dwight Peters, Colin Nelson, Anthony Abrams and Kester Jacobs.
St. Vincent’s 11 were Samuel, Stewart, Lynch (goal keeper), Dorren Hamlet, Roy Richards, Odanza Dennie, Wesley Charles, Theon Gordon, Wendel Cuffy and Shemol Trimmingham.
