The Golden Jaguars got their Courts Caribbean Classic international campaign off to the perfect start, humbling a dismal Barbados 5-0 last evening at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Trinidad and Tobago.
It was the first win for the recently appointed Jamal Shabazz, as Guyana snapped a two-game losing streak. It was also the eighth win for Guyana against Barbados with the Guyanese previous defeat occurring in March 1999.
On the other hand, it was Barbados’s second heavy loss in the event, following their disastrous 0-9 result against the host nation on Friday at the same venue.
Guyana’s starting XI comprised Akel Clarke, Quincy Adams, Shemar Fraser, Terrell Ondaan, Omari Glasgow, Javier George, Pernell Schultz, Marcus Wilson, Leo Lovell, Trayon Bobb, and Daniel Wilson.
The Guyanese confirmed Barbadian unit’s position as the group’s whipping boys, romping to a 3-0 lead at the conclusion of the first half. The rout commenced in the 11th minute, as centre-half Adams found the back of the net.
Another conversion then occurred in the 37th minute, as Schultz scored, intercepting an errant pass from the defender, before slotting past the goalkeeper inside the area.
The first half demolition was then completed two minutes onward, as Glasgow slotted into the empty net unchallenged from inside the six yard area, after receiving a left sided cross from Ondaan.
The second half started brightly for the Guyanese, as substitute Neil Danns found the back of the net from the penalty spot in the 48th minute to make it 4-0.
It was a positive return for the veteran midfielder following a two-year absence, firing his effort from the mark into the lower left corner, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way in the process. Glasgow further extended the score to 5-0, bagging his second of the evening in the 60th minute, as he raced onto a through pass on the right side, before slotting a flat right footed effort past the advancing goalkeeper into the back of the net.
Poor finishing by the Guyanese for the remainder of the period ensured that the scoreline remained unchanged. Guyana will conclude its sojourn against the host nation tomorrow.
