‘Golden Jaguars’ return home after successful Barbados tour

May 31, 2011 Sports

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Preparation for Olympic Qualifiers to continue

By Franklin Wilson

Under Head Coach Collie ‘Hitman’ Hercules, the ‘Golden Jaguars’ returned home yesterday following a bruising but successful two-game tour of Barbados which also brought the curtains down on the 4-game series.
It kicked off on May 20th at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground in the Bauxite Mining Town of Linden with the majority of players being Under-23 who will be competing in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Olympic Under-23 Qualifying competition, shortly.
Many felt that coming up against a stern opponent like Barbados, Guyana should have fielded a more experienced unit but the Technical Committee of the Guyana Football Federation stuck to their aim of exposing younger players with the future in focus.
A few available senior players were added to the squad including England based Christopher Bourne who was named Captain, Trinidad and Tobago based Vurlon Mills (forward) and Akel Clarke (goalkeeper) along with Oswald Cornette also a goalie.
This young side went about the task of representing their country and at the same time gaining valuable exposure ahead of an important competition with zest, zeal and determination.
The game in Linden was a good first test for them and they rose to the occasion by pulling off a 1-0 win, compliments of a goal by their Captain Bourne.
Game two was played at the Guyana National Stadium Providence (May 22) and now, much was expected from this team by the fans; Head Coach Hercules along with the Technical Staff working to get the unit clicking in every department in the few days they were huddled together ahead of the series were also optimistic but more focused on their charges gaining valuable exposure.
As expected, Barbados’ senior team was not going to lie down and allow the home team to walk all over them; they came out all guns blazing in the second game and raced into the lead by two goals in the 1st and 15th minute.
The young Guyana side held their composure and pulled one back in the 28th minute (a well executed free kick by Reshawn Sandiford). They {Golden Jaguars}drew level in the 61st minute via a Colin Nelson penalty with the winner coming off the boot of the USA based Anani Mohamed who came on as a second half substitute.
Guyana sweeping the home series and now focused on the return game in the Land of the Flying Fish one week later.
First up though, the Guyanese came up against Bradley University of Illinois, Chicago in their first game of the tour on Friday May 27 at the Barbados National Stadium, Waterford, St. Michael.
Bradley had already defeated the Bajan senior team 2-0 but lost to a combination of Under-17 and 18 National players by a 2-1 margin.
The Guyanese did not know what to expect but it was a game nonetheless and they were prepared for the University side which provided good competition to the extent that they took the lead. By now however, the ‘Golden Jaguars’ relished coming from behind to beat their opponents.
That for sure is what they did as they fired back twice to wrap up their third victory in as many matches. Next up they faced the home team in the return Friendly International and yet again, the home team {Barbados}cantered into the lead.
The Bajans were even reduced to 10-men when first choice goalkeeper Omari Eastmond was sent off for violent conduct.
Even with the advantage of having an extra player, Guyana failed to capitalize owing to poor play, consistently failing to keep ball possession as they normally do, mistaking, bad passing and being too eager to get rid of it.
They piled on unnecessary pressure on themselves, worst yet hardly any shots were taken at the opponents’ goal. But with time ticking away the urgency built; and it was during a period of desperation that the equalizing goal was scored (76th minute), albeit an own goal by Barry Skeete.
Credit must go to the Guyana team for finally coming to life, it was a Vurlon Mills shot from close range that substitute goalkeeper Jason Boxhill partially blocked into the path of Skeete who in his attempt to clear the ball put it into the back of his own nets. Barbados 1 Guyana 1; that’s how it ended.
More work is however needed to whip this promising team into tip top shape. A number of other overseas players are expected to be available for the Olympic Qualifiers Group C (preliminary stage) against host Cuba, Dominican Republic and Aruba.
The tentative dates are June 21 – 29 or July 19 – 27 with the group winner advancing to the final group stage November 21 – 29 along with the winners of group’s A, B and D.
Many players stood out for the Guyana team during this 4-game series which means that the talent is surely there. The GFF must now keep the team together over a longer period which would allow the Technical Staff the requisite time to do more work, generally.
The Guyanese crowd in Barbados was just fantastic; they came out in their numbers outnumbering the home team supporters.
They {fans}would have loved another victory but settled for the draw.
Many came to congratulate the players and staff after the match for making them proud, reminding that the rivalry between these two countries goes beyond the football field. The Guyana flags (Golden Arrowhead) were kept waving throughout the duration of the match backed up by constant applause and encouragement.
Kudos, are in order for the Technical and Management team and the players for doing their country proud with the skies being the limit, looking ahead.

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