Guyana ended their CONCACAF U15 boys campaign with a 1-1 draw against traditional foe French Guiana yesterday at the IMG Academy, Florida, USA.
The Guyanese were unable to progress to the elimination round to contest for the division-2 championship after finishing second in group-E to unbeaten Nicaragua. The respective group winners in division-2 progressed to the knockout round.
Guyana’s starting XI for their final match consisted of Shaved Hernandez (GK), Zakeel Flatts, Tyquan Brummell, Kevin Mullin, Samuel Garnett, Rajan Ramdeholl, Daniel Lowe, Devon Padmore, Oswin Archer, Marcus Tudor and Colin Henriques.
The Guyanese quickly fell behind in matchup compliments of a goalkeeping blunder in the ninth minute.
Marc Kanama etched his name on the scorer’s sheet as a simple high cross from the right side sailed over the head of the custodian and settled into the left corner.
This advantage was maintained heading into the halftime interval of 70 minute encounter. However the Golden Jaguars equalized in the 46th minute, via substitute forward Shoran James.
James uncorked a right foot shot from inside the top of the box which took a deflection and lobbed over the hands of the diving goalkeeper and settled into the left corner. The Guyanese outfit ended the competition with a record of two wins, one loss and a draw.
Guyana defeated the Bahamas (5-1) and Cayman Islands (2-0) in their group matches, with their only defeat coming at the hands of Nicaragua (3-0). They are expected to return to local shores today.
The 42 team tournament which features guest entrants Portugal, Slovenia and Israel, is divided into three divisions based on the confederation’s u17 2019 ranking.
Portugal and Slovenia will feature in Division-1 alongside the best 14 teams in the event. They will be divided into four groups of four (Group A-D).
The top two from each group will progress to the quarterfinal round to contest for the overall title.
Guyana features in Division-2 (Group E-H) which comprises 16 teams inclusive of Israel. The winner from each pool advances to the quarterfinal to contest for the Divisional title.
Meanwhile, Division-3 contains the lowest ranked 10 teams (group I-J). The winners of both group will contest the divisional championship match.
