‘Golden Jaguars’book place in round two - defeat Netherlands Antilles 3-2;

‘Golden Jaguars’book place in round two – defeat Netherlands Antilles 3-2;

Oct 16, 2010 Sports

By Franklin Wilson in Suriname with the compliments of Digicel

Even exchanges highlighted the opening 10 minutes as both teams strived to get the adrenalin flowing but it was the Golden Jaguars who controlled the flow as the game progressed.
They continued to manipulate ball possession and had the Netherlands Antilles waiting to get a touch, such was the dominance of the Guyanese team that the opposition were hardly able to get close to goal.
The need to push forward gradually came into play and in the 15th minute left side midfield Walter Moore eased half way into the oppositions half before laying the ball off to striker Anthony Abrams who in turn slipped it through to his strike partner Dwight Peters who guided the ball clinically into the right side of the nets, Marcello Pisas, the Netherlands goalkeeper and Captain well beaten as was his defence.
The Guyanese continued to dominate and made some more enterprising runs at the Netherlands, Abrams, one on one with the keeper in the 17th minute did not choose a corner, banging the ball into the path of Pisas who parried the ball away for another corner.
The resulting corner produced a scrimmage in front of goal but luckily the ball was cleared by the Netherlands defence. Chances came regularly for the Guyanese but they lacked that punch up front that is necessary to finish off good build ups.
Dwight Peters in the 24th minute found himself inthe 6 yards box and a golden opportunity to double the score but his shot sailed way over the cross bar. The ‘Golden Jaguars’ continued their efficiency in terms of controlling the game and their possession remained spot on.
The Netherlands could have nailed their first goal just before the half hour mark, Kenneth Kunst capitalized on a lapse in midfield by the Guyanese and found himself on a breakaway with only Ronson Williams to beat but he choked in the final third allowing the defence to catch up with him.
Abrams was on side to nail Guyana’s second goal in the 32nd minute, worked his way into the six yards box but choose to put the ball outside of goal. Shots missed the target for the Guyanese again in the 39th and one minute later came off the upright.
But on the stroke of half time, Abrams made amends when he sank the ball into the network on an assist from Dwain Jacobs who went deep in to the Netherlands half before letting the ball off, goalkeeper Pisas got a hand to the ball but spilled it allowing Abrams the chance to tap it into goal easily. The half ended with the Guyanese two goals up.
The second stanza of the game saw a resurgent and energetic display from the Netherlands who unlike the first half took the fight to Guyana. Abrams spilled another chance early on but it was clear that the Netherlands came out with a plan to attack. Twelve minutes into the half, Guyana lengthened the lead when midfielder Walter Moore on a pass from Dwight Peters nailed goal number 3 for Guyana in the 57th minute.
Despite trailing by such a wide margin, the Netherlands showed great heart as they kept coming at the Jaguars who eased off the throttle somewhat perhaps thinking that they were sitting comfortably but that would soon change.
Both teams made changes, the Netherlands in the 46th minute when Lisandro Trenidad made way for Richenel Doran. They introduced both Shurwendel Roosje and Giandro Steba in the 67th minute for Mirco Colina and Rilove Janga.
Their introduction to the game added some life to the Netherlands’ attack and they were rewarded with their first goal in the 74th from the penalty spot.
Their dominance of the game continued as they enjoyed a very good period. The deficit was further reduced with 6 minutes to game time, substitute Giandro Steba with a well timed pass deep in the Guyana half squared the ball to the waiting Kenneth Kunst at the top of the box with the ensuing shot having goal written all over it; a powerful shot that custodian Ronson Williams did not have a sniffer of a chance to save.
Abrams had another chance to stretch the lead with keeper way off his line (half way in the Netherlands half) he tried lobby the ball over Pisas but it went agonizingly close, just past the left upright of the open goal.
The Netherlands too, could have drawn level on the stroke of full time but Williams tipped the ball over the bar.
Soon after referee James Matthew of Antigua & Barbuda blew the final whistle bring to an end an exciting encounter that the Golden Jaguars almost blew.
They are now assured of a place in the next round with their second win, moving to six points. Meanwhile, Host Suriname were also on winners row, beating St Lucia 2-1 in the night cap last evening. The clash now between Guyana and Suriname tomorrow is expected to be a keenly contested affair with both teams looking to win the group having taken six points from their games played.