The Golden Jaguars were drawn in group B of League ‘B’ in the Concacaf Nations League, after the official draw was conducted on Monday in Miami, Florida, USA.
Guyana (21st), has been drawn with the likes of Haiti (7th), Bermuda (19th), and Montserrat (27th). The group’s median Concacaf ranking is 18.5.
The Golden Jaguars ended their inaugural campaign with a record of three wins, two losses and a draw. The Guyanese defeated Aruba [4-2, 1-0], as well as Antigua and Barbuda [5-1]. However, they suffered defeats against Jamaica [0-4] and Antigua and Barbuda [1-2]. Guyana recorded a draw against Jamaica [1-1].
Colin Nelson, Golden Jaguar International centre-half said, “The draw is not ideal but it’s a draw that I can see us doing well given the current state of the team and the preparation. I think the team is on an upward trajectory, I think the coach brings a different atmosphere to the team, and the younger players are actually buying in what the coach teaches and that is a good thing.”
He added, “To be honest, I have high expectations for the group, I don’t think I would settle for anything less than topping the group and the coach will not as well. With the introduction of the foreign players I think we have a good chance of winning it but it is a tough group. It’s much tougher than the previous group [Jamaica, Aruba, and Antigua and Barbuda] but I think the current environment of the national team is much better.”
Meanwhile, Group A of League ‘B’ contains Cuba (14th), Guadeloupe (17th), Antigua and Barbuda (20th), and Barbados (31st). The pool’s average ranking is 20.5.
Similarly, Group C comprises Trinidad and Tobago (13th), Nicaragua (18th), St Vincent and the Grenadines (24th), and the Bahamas (33rd) for a moderate group ranking of 22. Likewise, Group D consists of Guatemala (8th), French Guiana (16th), Dominican Republic (23rd), and Belize (26th). The median ranking of the pool is 18.25.
Meanwhile, League ‘A’ of the event comprises four sections. Mexico, Jamaica and Suriname make up group A, while Costa Rica, Panama, and Martinique feature in group B. Also, group C contains Canada, Honduras, and Curacao, while defending champion USA, El Salvador, and Grenada comprise group D.
In League ‘C’, group A contains Bonaire, Turks and Caicos Islands, US Virgin Islands and Sint Maarten, while group B features St Kitts and Nevis, Aruba, and Saint Maarten. Group C comprises St Lucia, Dominica, and Anguilla, whilst Puerto Rico, Cayman Islands, and British Virgin Islands make up group D.
According to Concacaf, the second season of the Nations League which comprises the 41 member associations of the confederation, will commence in June, with the final tournament to decide the winner occurring in June of 2023. The event will serve as the qualifier for the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup.
