Guyana qualified for the semi-final stage in the Pan American Hockey Federation (PAHF) Challenge, drawing with top seed and group-A leader Brazil 2-2 in their final group fixture yesterday in Chicklayo, Peru.
Needing only a draw to secure their berth in the next round after a 14-0 win over Panama in their prior encounter and a 2-2 stalemate with Puerto Rico in their opener, the Guyanese got off to the perfect start as Aroydy Branford opened the scoring with a 12th minute field goal strike.
Guyana eventually maintained their lead going into the half time interval. However the Brazilians eventually levelled the score in the 42nd minute as Stephane Smith-Vehrle found the back of the net following a penalty corner conversion.
Brazil then snatched the lead one minute onward from another penalty corner strike compliments of Lucas Paixao. Nevertheless, Guyana levelled the score line in the 51st minute, sealing their place in the next round compliments of a penalty strike from Branford.
Due to the draw, Guyana finished in the second position with five points, ahead of the third placed Puerto Rico who finished on four points. Brazil finish as the group winner with seven points while Panama finish in the cellar position with zero points.
Guyana will now await either Venezuela or Peru in the next round on Friday October 9th pending the outcome of their fixture today. The grand finale of the tournament is slated for Sunday October 11th.
This international outdoor event is the first for the Guyanese men in eight years, with their last competitive outdoor showing occurring in the 2007 Caribbean Cup and ALBA Games where they acquired a Bronze and Silver respectively.
Due to Guyana’s inactivity over the period, it no longer holds a world or Pan American ranking and will have to compete alongside the teams not ranked in the top six within the region in the Pan American Challenge to qualify for the 2017 Pan American Cup in the United States of America.
Current Standings
Team GP W D L GF GA GD Pts
Brazil 3 2 1 0 25 3 +22 7
Guyana 3 1 2 0 18 4 +14 5
Puerto Rico 2 0 1 1 15 7 +8 4
Panama 2 0 0 2 0 44 -44 0
