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Battle for pride as ‘Lady Jags’ play final game against ‘Soca Princesses’
Guyana's Katrina Moore challenginng for the ball against Canada's goal scoring machine Christine Sinclair.
By Franklin Wilson in
Mexico Compliments
of GT&T, Fazia’s
Collection, Bakewell and
Crown Mining Supplies
With both Guyana (Lady Jags) and Trinidad and Tobago (Soca Princesses) already out of the semifinals; host Mexico and Canada going through to the final four from Group A, it will be a battle for pride for both Caribbean countries when group action in the CONCACAF Women’s World Cup Qualifying competition concludes this evening at the Estadio Beto Avila.
Guyana’s baptism at this level for the first time was not the best, losing to Mexico in their opening game 7-2 and then being thumped by Canada 8-0 in their second game. Both their opponents are very experienced teams at this level but the young Guyanese side has learnt lots of positive lessons which will serve them in good stead in the future.
Trinidad too, has been at this level many times before and will start this game as favourites having also defeated the Guyanese in T&T in the final round of the Caribbean Football Union Qualifying competition.
Coupled with the fact that a number of their leading players have not made it to Mexico, Guyana will again be under pressure to keep the T&T side at bay in the first game today. Trinidad on the other hand went down to Canada in a tough game 0-1 and they also lost another tough clash against the home team on Sunday evening 2-0.
The level of refereeing continues to be an area of concern for many of the teams but they players have to accept and move on.
But while Guyana has conceded a total of 15 goals, they remain the only losing team in either group to have scored against the winning team, if that is any consolation at all.
Technical Director Mark Rodrigues and his staff will have their work cut out in arriving at the starting X1 once again given the limited options they have. Second choice goalkeeper Ronette Cort might be in the reckoning for her first game.
Alison Heydorn, Driana De Souza, Mariam El-Masri, Olivia Gonsalves, Ashlee Savona, Kayla De Souza, Collette Hope, Tessa Edwards, power house defender Justine Rodrigues cousin of ‘Golden Jaguar’ John Rodrigues and Captain Ashley Rodrigues will all be aiming to end the tournament on a winning note for their country on their debut at this level.
Trinidad and Tobago too, will be going after a consolation win having lost two tight encounters.
The Twin Island Republic’s goalkeeper Kimika Forbes has had a wonderful tournament to date and will look to continue. Back up in their quest for a win will come from Captain Anyana Russell, Anastacia Prescott, Arin King, Rhea Belgrave, Tasha St. Louis, Janine Francois and their star player Akeela Mollon.
They have not been able to get on the score sheets and will be aiming to do so against the young but determined ‘Lady Jags’.
Win or not, the ‘Lady Jags’ have done well for Guyana in the short 16 months that they have been together as a unit. They have the distinction of becoming the first football team (male or female) to reach this level for Guyana and can only get better. The majority of the team is young and a bright future is ahead.
Canada and Mexico will meet in the final game this evening in the battle for the top spot in the group.
Both sides have done well to date and an enthralling battle is anticipated. The home team will be backed by another large and animated crowd with their drums, relentless chanting and of course the noisy Mexican wave but the experienced Canadians will not be intimidated and will be going after their third win in as many matches.
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