From: Allan La Rose
In Houston, Texas
Compliments of GFF, Colours,
Isotonix and Oasis Water
Guyana’s Lady Jags footballers kept their hopes alive of qualifying for the semifinals of the CONCACAF final round Olympic qualifiers with a hard fought come from behind 2-1 victory against Guatemala at the BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas yesterday.
The Central Americans were stunned by a two goal blitz, within six minutes, that erased their one goal lead and left them with no chance of advancing to the last four while the Lady Jags will have to get past Trinidad and Tobago in their final encounter tomorrow (Tuesday) for a place in the semis.
In the first half the Guatemalans enjoyed a slightly higher percentage of possession as the Jags’ poor passing was responsible for the breakdown of their attacks, particularly, in the attacking third. Their opponents were also guilty of weak finishing as they threatened the Guyana goal towards the end of the first period. The Jags starting line-up showed two changes from the opening 5-0 loss to Canada, in were Julia Gonsalves and Leah Ramalho and out were Kayla DeSouza and Mariam El-Masri.
On the resumption the Central Americans came out very aggressive, using the width and long balls to unsettle the Guyanese defence and after nine minutes of play they were rewarded as Ana Lucia Marinez hammered in from close range, giving goalkeeper Chante Sandiford no chance. Marinez should have doubled the lead in the 63rd minute but saw her effort brilliantly saved by Sandiford.
Coach Mark Rodrigues then upped his attack as midfielder Alison Heydorn joined second half substitute Masri up front and suddenly the Jags looked more spritely and purposeful. In the 71st minute, a well-timed and weighted flick on to Masri by captain Ashley Rodrigues on the left produced the equalizer. Masri demonstrating sound technique worked her way past two defenders in the area to fire home at the far post from close up.
Inspired, the Jags went on the attack to get the go ahead goal which came six minutes later when Heydorn, seeing the Guatemalan custodian slightly off her line, fired from just outside the penalty arc and into the ‘keeper’s far left upright. The last 14 minutes of regulation time had anxious moments at both ends of the field with Sandiford again displaying her superb goalkeeping skills to ensure the Jags secure the important victory. A double save by Sandiford at close range in the 85th minute denied the last effort of the Guatemalans who had the greater percentage (54 to 46) of ball possession and more shots on goal.
The Lady Jags now only need a draw with the Soca Princesses in their final group ‘B’ fixture tomorrow to make it to the semifinals after Canada humbled the Trinbagonians 6-0 in yesterday’s feature game.
In a post game press brief, goalkeeper Sandiford told the Media that the team was always confident of winning and showered praises on the performance, ”It was a great team effort, both offensively and defensively”.
Coach Rodrigues also declared that the team’s confidence level is high right now and that it is a belief in self that has the Lady Jags so upbeat and confident.
Team Guyana – Chante Sandiford, Briana DeSouza, Alison Heydorn,Julia Gonsalves (45’), Leah Ramahlo (80’), Justine Rodrigues, Ashlee Savona, Ashley rodrigues (Capt.), Otesha Charles (62’), Kailey Leila and Olivia Gonsalves. Subs; Mariam El-Masri (45’), Brittany Persaud (62’) and Kayla DeSouza (80’).
