Guyana lose to Bermuda 3-0 in opening game

Jan 20, 2011 Sports

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Tight tussle between Guyana and Bermuda. (Franklin Wilson photo).

By Franklin Wilson
in Suriname
In association with
Fazia’s Collection,
Len’s Craft Optical
and Lifetime Reality

When the history books are written, it will record that the Guyana Under-20 team were beaten into submission by their Bermudian counterparts in the first international game at the newly laid Artificial Turf at the Franklin Essed Stadium.
That was the story in a lackluster performance by the Junior Jaguars who were out hustled by Bermuda 3-0 when the battle for the final spot to the finals of CONCACAF qualifying for the FIFA Under-20World Cup kicked off last evening in Paramaribo.
The Guyanese were confident going into this game but soon found out that the opposition was a well oiled unit used to playing on Artificial Turf and were just as hungry and even more than they were.
Playing a cool and patient game, Bermuda made sure they capitalised on most of the opportunities they created while Guyana, though enjoying better possession early on, were poor in creating opportunities up front and lacked the zeal that they showed in first round qualifying at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
It did not take much time for the Bermudians to take the lead; Casey Castle playing a good hand in right side midfield, took control of the ball worked his way past three Guyanese players before passing off the ball to Dante Leverock who gleefully fired past Richie Richards in goal for Guyana.
The goal was conceded at a time when Guyana was enjoying possession but it certainly took a toll on the entire team.
The Junior Jaguars lacked focus in midfield and upfront and; Head Coach Collie Hercules noting in his post match chat with the media that their lack of fitness was a key factor in the loss.
Both sides kept at each other but the Bermudians enjoyed the better of the exchanges as the game progressed; they looked the more purposeful of the two sides.
Guyana’s cause was not helped when one of the main defenders, Ryan Crandon picked up his second yellow card for fouling the same player {Leverock} in the 30th and 43rd minute, Referee Lee Davis of Trinidad and Tobago said he was booked for two minor fouls which proved to be a major cost to Guyana in the end.
His {Crandon} exit with two minutes to the half way mark was not a situation the Guyanese were preparing for. Leverock was subbed one minute to the half with Dunte Albouy taking his place; Sheldon Holder, who was one of the main strike weapons for the Guyanese in first round qualifying, had a poor game and was replaced by defender Ramdehol just before the break with Guyana under pressure.
As expected, Head Coach of the Bermuda team instructed his charges to possess the ball more and that they did admirably.
Despite adding fresh legs to the fray, Guyana were no match for the Bermudians. The second half goals were not thrillers but they counted nonetheless.
Substitute Dunte Albouy ensured his name was inserted onto the score sheet in the 64th minute which came after the ball was regained by his side from a corner. The Guyana defence and goalie were caught flat footed, watching the ball move around before ending in the back of the nets.
Five minutes later, almost in similar circumstances where they {Guyana} were not as vigilant as they should have been, Bermuda sealed the deal, Troy Tucker tucking the ball away for a solid start to their quest of taking the final available in the 12-team CONCACAF finals set for April in Guatemala.
Coach Hercules speaking after the game said that his charges lacked the required level of fitness at this level and the hassles of an international game showed up. He said he was not making any excuses but the amount of time they were together after the first, leg was never going to be enough.
“That said, I think we had our moments in the game and that we can build on. We would have focused a lot of defensive organisation during the past two weeks and to concede three goals was very disappointing. It is even more difficult for us to qualify if goal difference comes into play but we still give ourselves a chance in the next two games.
Hercules noted that the Technical staff is now tasked with the responsibility of rebuilding the morale of the players and hope for the best in our next games.”
Hercules lamented that fact that poor finishing was a big part of the loss and again he attributed it to the lack of fitness which affected the team from as early as the first half.
Another challenge for the young Guyanese team was the lack of exposure on surfaces of this nature which all the other countries in the group have. Despite this fact, Hercules still holds the view that his charges could have performed better.
Cohesion between the midfield and forwards was not of the best; the plan the Head Coach said was to possess the ball more before making runs at the opposition but it did not work out. He also said that the players were a bit too anxious to get the ball forward and this resulted in possession going to the opposing side.
“I said to the guys before the game that the game was going to be tough and you have to battle since the sides here are not taking it lightly, it’s a final stage before qualifying for the finals. I think we tried.”
Head Coach of the Bermuda team, Gary Darrell said that he felt his side was the better of the two, they did the work to earn the results but they will not get complacent.
“We did what was necessary tonight but there is room for improvement and basically I was pleased with what we accomplished.”
Darrell noted that they did not do much preparing for this second stage, they just had a few games during the Christmas holidays.
“More than half of our team lives outside of Bermuda, some in the United Kingdom and some in the United States so preparation wasn’t like we would have liked it but we made the bets of what we had.”
Bermuda’s Custodian, Tahj-Michael Bell, Casey Castle and Quadir Maynard all attend school in the UK while the others in the USA are playing at a good level with their respective Colleges which Darrell said was a good advantage for them.
Guyana will now face host team Suriname with Bermuda coming up against the Netherlands Antilles tomorrow at the same venue on day two of group-two qualifying. Only the winner of the group will advance.

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