Guyana’s Golden Jaguars will continue their pursuit of regional glory today when they battle Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Caribbean Cup qualifiers at the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium in Bayamon from 19:00hrs.
With both teams already assured of a berth in the next round, the fixture will decide the winner of the group.
Guyana, in their opening match, secured a 7-0 win over Anguilla while the home side recorded a 4-0 defeat of the same opposition.
This will be only the second encounter between the countries. The previous meeting occurred March 12th, 1993 in Georgetown. The match, also a Caribbean Cup Qualifier, saw Puerto Rico winning 2-0.
Although the home side has the historical edge, the visitors, due to their superior record in recent matches, boast superior form. The 170th-ranked Puerto Ricans, in their previous five fixtures, have a record of two wins, as many losses and one draw, with one of the victories being the most recent battle against Anguilla.
In terms of the statistics, the hosts have recorded six goals during that series at a rate of 1.2 goals per match. On the defensive end, the numbers are identical with six goals shipped in at an identical rate. For the 156th ranked Golden Jaguars, the numbers illustrate a record of two wins, two draws and a loss over their last five fixtures.
A breakdown of the period illustrate that the team scored 15 goals at a healthy average of three goals per match. Meanwhile, the defensive numbers highlight that Guyana has conceded seven goals at a rate of 1.4 goals per fixture. Winner of the group will progress to group-4 in the second round while the runner-up will progress to group-3.
The squad for the fixture reads Neil Danns (England); Samuel Cox (England), Walter Moore (Finland), Brandon Beresford (U.S.A), Christopher Nurse (Puerto Rico), Marcel Barrington (England) and Anthony Whyte (Canada), Alex Andrew Murray (Alpha United FC) King Solomon Austin (Alpha United FC), Kester Jacobs (Slingerz FC), Eon Lennox Alleyne (Fruta Conquerors FC), Vurlon Robert Mills (Slingerz FC), Gregory Fitzpatrick Richardson (Pele FC) Devon Leylando Millington (Slingerz FC), Dwight Peters (Alpha United FC), Quincy Linford Adams (Slingerz FC), Clive Nobrega (Slingerz FC), Tichard Joseph (Slingerz FC).
With regards to the members of the management unit, Jamaal Shabazz will serve in his familiar role as Head Coach while Wayne Dover will be his Assistant. Similarly Rawle Adams and Andrew Hazel will act in the capacities of Team Manager and Goalkeeper Coach respectively.
The remaining members of the staff are Anson Ambrose, Duane Saunders, Denzil Hernandez and Earl Paul who will act as Trainer, Physiotherapist, Physiotherapist and Equipment Officer correspondingly.
The Golden Jaguars’ best showing in the championship was in the 2007 edition when they lost out on a semi-final berth and a place in the CONCACAF Gold Cup due to goal difference.
In their most recent outing in 2014, Guyana made a first round exit, losing twice and securing one draw in their matches with an inexperienced side featuring predominantly local players many of whom were making their debuts.
Round two of the event commences in May with the third round scheduled to begin in October. The fifth place playoff will take place in November while the grand finale will occur in May of 2017. The top four teams at the conclusion of the event will qualify to the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
