Concacaf Men’s U17 Championship
The Junior Golden Jaguars delivered a spirited performance on Thursday night, holding Costa Rica to a dramatic 2-2 draw at the Costa Rica National Stadium in the Concacaf U17 Championship.
Despite entering the match as underdogs, ranked 21st among U17 FIFA World Cup contenders against sixth-ranked Costa Rica, Guyana showcased resilience, determination, and tactical discipline to secure a historic result.
The match started in disastrous fashion for the visitors, as an unfortunate own goal in the opening minute gifted Costa Rica an early advantage.
However, the young Guyanese side refused to be rattled.
Their persistence paid off in the 34th minute when Joshua Morris rose above the defence to head home a crucial equalizer, injecting life back into the contest. Costa Rica regained the lead just before halftime, with a clinical 43rd-minute strike that sent the hosts into the break with a 2-1 advantage. But once again, the Junior Jaguars showed their fighting spirit.
Guyana came out determined in the second half and wasted little time in restoring parity. In the 54th minute, Shaquan David found the back of the net, ensuring his side remained firmly in the contest. From there, the Jaguars’ defence held firm, repelling Costa Rica’s attacking threats and securing an invaluable point to extend their unbeaten streak in the tournament.
The result boosts Guyana’s hopes of securing a spot at the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar. Their next challenge comes against the British Virgin Islands on Sunday night.
