An Omari Glasgow hat-trick, alongside a Kelsey Benjamin brace, propelled Guyana to the perfect start in League B of the 2023–24 CONCACAF Nations League, thrashing hosts Antigua and Barbuda 5-1 yesterday at the federation’s Technical Centre.
Guyana’s starting XI comprised Quillan Roberts, Raushan Ritch, Curtez Kellman, Jalen Jones, Jeremy Garrett, Liam Gordon, Elliot Bonds, Glasgow, Stephen Duke-McKenna, Daniel Wilson, and Benjamin.
Glasgow opened the scoring in the 14th minute, stealing the ball from the goalkeeper during an attempted clearance at the top of the 18-yard box before slotting it into the empty net.
Guyana was then awarded a penalty kick for a handball infraction inside the right side of the penalty area in the 29th minute. Tasked with the responsibility from a distance, Glasgow completed his brace as he fired his effort under the body of the goalkeeper into the left corner.
Benjamin then got into the scoring act to push the score to 3-0, racing into the penalty area from the left side before slotting his effort into the lower right corner past the onrushing goalkeeper.
Raheem Deterville eventually pulled one back for the hosts in the 45th minute, lashing a powerful effort from the left side of the penalty box that took a minor deflection and settled into the top right corner.
Nonetheless, Guyana restored their three-goal advantage in the 62nd minute, as Benjamin completed his brace, racing away from his marker to latch onto a defensive clearance before slotting into the lower left corner following a one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
The score-line was then completed in the 87th minute, as Glasgow sealed his hat-trick with a moment of individual brilliance. Cutting in from the left side, Glasgow, upon entering the center of the penalty area, curled a right-footed shot into the top right corner.
According to statistics from CONCACAF, Guyana completed 402 passes from 428 at a rate of 94%, while the home side tallied 281 from 347 at a rate of 81%. This translated into Guyana securing 55% of possession.
Meanwhile, Puerto Rico crushed the Bahamas 6-1 in the other match in the pool.
The Guyanese will now host the Bahamas on Tuesday at 18:00hrs at the National Track and Field Center. Guyana will then lock horns with Puerto Rico on October 14th before the reverse fixture is staged on October 17th. The Golden Jaguars’ final two matches will occur on November 18th and November 21st, respectively, against the Bahamas and Antigua and Barbuda.
In the 2022–2023 edition, Guyana ended up in second place with 10 points. In the inaugural 2019–2020 edition, Guyana finished in the runner-up spot in league B with nine points.
According to CONCACAF, a format change was implemented for the 2023–2024 edition, which resulted in no relegation of teams following the end of the 2022–2023 season.
League A has been increased from 12 to 16 teams and will feature a quarterfinal section. The 12 lowest-ranked teams in League A will feature in a group stage comprising two pools of six, with the resulting group winner and runner-up advancing to the elimination section alongside the USA, Mexico, Canada, and Costa Rica. The quarterfinal fixtures will utilize a home-and-away format.
The fifth and sixth-placed teams at the end of the group stage in League A will be relegated. Meanwhile, League C has been reduced from 12 to nine teams. The competing nations will be divided into three groups of three, with the resulting group winners and the best second-placed team in the division advancing to League B.
