Golden Jaguars Head Coach, Michael Johnson has conceded that his side’s 2-2 draw against Barbados in their opening CONCACAF Nations League match on Thursday evening at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora felt like a loss.
Johnson made the statement at the post-match press conference on Thursday evening where he also placed the microscope on a number of botched chances by the host in the first half of the encounter which could have influenced the outcome of the match in Guyana’s favour.
“It’s a good point in the end…. [but] it actually feels like a loss in the end,” Johnson said in his evaluation of the side’s efforts.
“I think the first half, it could have been three or four and through our own, I don’t know, slackness or lazy play, we conceded two silly goals.
“But I’m very pleased with the team because they found it within themselves to dig deep and Danzy [Neil Danns] came up with a really good strike and even then, I think we look like we go on to pinch another one to win 3-2.
“But we’ll take a point and when we finally qualify, you’ll look at this day go `you know what, it was a good point.’
“I’m just disappointed that we didn’t take those opportunities. On another day, they will all go in the back of the net.”
Looking ahead to the other match, and remedying the one flaw which poked its head against Barbados – putting the ball at the back of the net – Johnson pointed out that it will be critical for his unit to maintain the high level of work ethic.
“I think it’s just by working hard and making sure that we concentrate on the final finish or the final cross. I’m not disappointed in the players, if we keep getting in there, I think the goals will come.
Guyana will now turn their attention to the trio of the Turks and Caicos Islands, French Guiana and Belize. They will host Belize in March 2019 after travelling to the Turks and Caicos Islands and French Guiana during October and November this year respectively.
