The Golden Jaguars dismal campaign in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers ended on an undesirable note, as they lost to Puerto Rico 2-0 yesterday at the Warner Park Sporting Complex in Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis.
It was another poor performance from the Guyanese, as they stumbled to their third loss in the group, following prior defeats to Trinidad and Tobago and St. Kitts and Nevis in what was the third meeting of the nations.
Guyana’s starting XI comprised Kai McKenzie-Lyle, Liam Gordon, Terrence Vancooten, Matthew Briggs, Miguel Scarlett, Daniel Wilson, Job Caesar, Stephen Duke-McKenna, Keanu Marsh-Brown, Omari Glasgow and Osafo Simpson.
Hardly any semblance of attacking intent was recorded in the first period, with Duke-McKenna being the exception with a lively performance, as Guyana opted for a pragmatic approach, setting up their starting team to clearly defend in the contest.
Their intentions of defensive commonality was easily extinguished, as Wilfredo Rivera opened the scoring in the 12th minute. It was the simplest of conversions for Rivera, who tapped home unchallenged into the back of the net, after an initial strike from the right side of the box, was parried by the goalkeeper into his onrushing path.
The eventual score-line was then in the 25th minute as Isaac Angking netted from the penalty spot, as Puerto Rico was awarded a dubious penalty by the official following a foul inside the left of the box, which emanated from a right sided cross.
Angking made no mistake from the mark, as sent custodian McKenzie-Lyle the wrong way before firing into the lower right corner.
Although Guyana improved in the second period due to their energetic approach following the introduction of several junior players, only one attempt threatened the Puerto Rican backline in the form of Duke-McKenna.
Cutting in from the left side in the 58th minute, the Queens Park Rangers attack uncorked a powerful flat right footed effort which was smartly saved by the opposing shot-stopper. For Puerto Rico, their best effort in a subdued half was fashioned in the 84th minute, as a strike from the right side of the box, fizzed over the crossbar.
With the result, Guyana ended their campaign with a record of one win and three losses to sit in fourth place on three points. They are slated to return to local shores shortly to commence preparation for their Gold Cup Playoff against Guatemala.
