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Suriname edge Guyana 2-1 in exciting clash; Netherlands upset Bermuda 2-1
Nippy midfielder Trayon Bobb in control for Guyana against Suriname at the Franklin Essed Stadium last night.
By Franklin Wilson
in Suriname
In association with
Fazia’s Collection,
Len’s Craft Optical
and Lifetime Reality
Home team Suriname eased to the top of the points table and closer to taking the 12th and final spot at the CONCACAF Under-20 finals when they edged Guyana in a close encounter 2-1 last evening in feature play on day two of stage-two of the CONCACAF U-20 qualifying competition.
Playing at the newly laid Artificial Field at the Franklin Essed Stadium, the home team erased a one goal deficit before storming back to take full points against Guyana despite the Junior Jaguars looking a much better side than the one that lost to Bermuda in their first game on Wednesday.
The win was the second by the same score line in as many matches for the home team who are one step away from qualifying for Guatemala.
Two blunders that the Guyanese made were taken advantage of by the home team to bury their opponents.
Forward Stefano Rijssel who also plays with the senior Suriname team drew his side level on the stroke of half time when he took the ball into the box and was brought down by defender Mortimer Ramdehol. Rijssel took on the job of scoring himself and sent Captain for the game, goalkeeper Richie Richards the wrong way.
That goal erased the advantage that Guyana had when striker Sheldon Holder put his team ahead in the 31st minute. The Guyanese team looked much more energetic and focused than their first game, the defence played with great composure and assurance as did the midfield.
The first half ended even with both teams creating chances and were not afraid to go at each other.
The second half was no different with both teams enjoying good possession and moving forward. The Surinamese entered Guyana’s attacking third on 24 occasions with Guyana returning the favours one time less.
Ian Alleyne takes the ball forward for Guyana against Suriname
The home team was a bit more accurate with their shots on goals. The winning goal came as a result of another lapse in concentration when Ramdehol made a bad pass just outside the area after receiving the ball from Eon Alleyne. The ball ended up in the path of an opposing player and in his quest {Ramdehol}to challenge for the ball, ended up fouling the player.
The ensuing kick, a well directed one, sailed into the path of substitute Julnes Plet who headed past Richards at the far post for the go ahead goal which ended up being the winning goal.
The win moves Suriname to 6 points at the top of the table with Bermuda and the Netherlands Antilles on 3 each while Guyana is still not yet off the mark.
The curtain raiser yesterday saw a spirited fight from Netherlands Antilles who had lost to Suriname 2-1 in their opening game; they rebounded to snatch full points from Bermuda in a game that saw some poor refereeing decisions being made.
Bermuda missed a penalty just on the half hour mark and three minutes later, Netherlands took the lead. Bermuda fired back but the Netherlands tucked in the winner off a header on the stroke of full time.
Head Coach Collie Hercules speaking with the media after the game said that despite the loss, Guyana did well on the night stating that the few blunders that were made were capitalised on by the opposition.
“I think the lads did well tonight, we showed that we can play, we showed that we can compete and I must give it up to the guys for the spirit they displayed. We have to hold our heads up and look forward to the next game.”
Commenting on the change on captaincy, Hercules said that the team felt that they should rotate it and they {Staff}went with it. Goalkeeper Richie Richards took over that job from regular Captain Colin Nelson.
With just two more games left in the group tomorrow, Suriname look almost assured of taking the number one place in the group with their final game against Bermuda while Guyana will now be playing for pride when they take on Netherlands Antilles.
A win would be a good way for the young jaguars to end their campaign.
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