Following their 0-2 defeat at the hands of Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana’s National Men’s Hockey Team on Saturday suffered another defeat against their counterparts from the Twin Island Republic in the second of their three match CAC warm up series.
The margin of defeat was stretched even further in the second encounter as the host, Trinidad and Tobago found the back of the upright on four occasions. Guyana on the other hand, failed yet again to score.
The Guyanese started much better than their first match, holding their own against the vaunted Trinidad setup. Honours remained throughout the first quarter and most of the second quarter, until Rayon Branford received a yellow card with five minutes left in the second quarter, which meant that Guyana would have to play with a man short for the rest of the half.
The Guyanese held Trinidad at bay until the 28th minute when they conceded a penalty corner and Daniel Byer deflected in a Tariq Marcano drag flick.
Two minutes later, on the stroke of half time, a clinical Trinidadian counter attack was finished by Kristien Emmanuel to make it 2-0.
Guyana started the second half strongly, creating several goal scoring opportunities which went begging.
On one such occasion, debutant Edmond Chinian was awarded a penalty stroke after being fouled in the scoring area, but again the opportunity went begging as Andrew Stewart pushed the ball wide left.
With Guyana pressing high to get on the score sheet, Marcano picked up the ball in space and eliminated one defender before sending a drive into the scoring which was deflected by Dylan Francis in the 52nd minute.
Trinidad were awarded a penalty corner on the stroke of full time and Marcano finished off a man of the match performance with a clinical drag flick finish off the base of the left post.
The trip to Trinidad was used as a doubt opportunity to play against a competitive side and to use turf facilities to get in a few practice sessions.
Guyana in that regard was able to complete their first practice session on Saturday night and will be hoping to improve their finishing in Sunday’s final match.
