A draw away from home is still good – Shabazz

Jun 11, 2015 Sports

SVG Head Coach Huggins believes his side deserved to win

By Franklin Wilson in St. Vincent compliments of:

Golden Jaguars Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz believed that their opening World Cup Qualifying game against St. Vincent & the Grenadines yesterday afternoon at the Arnos Vale Play Field in St. Vincent was a tough one for his team, noting the Vincy Heat side were quick but his defence did well to hold them.

Cornelius Huggins – SVG Head Coach

“We kept taking the lead and I was a bit disappointed that we were not able to hold the lead. I thought the second goal was a soft goal, but all in all it is good still to come away with a draw away from home.”
For the return game, Shabazz is of the view that St. Vincent would have to come and win given the fact that the away goals advantage is in favour of Guyana as it stands. Lots more work would be done on winning the ball higher up field while trying to press more in midfield, the tactician informed.
“Once we do our homework I am very confident that we can get forward from here.”
The Golden Jaguars could have done well with the experienced players Shabazz stated, referring to the absence of Neil Danns and Matthew Briggs as well as Samuel Cox and Marcel Barrington who missed the game due to not having their passports issued in time.
“At times in the game we needed that little experience, but all in all we can’t cry over spilt milk.We hope that we’ll be able to get them for the next game.”
Shabazz’s opposite number, Cornelius Huggins said he believed that his side should have defeated the Golden Jaguars. Huggins said that his charges threw away too many goals especially in the first half and should have been 3-1 up by the end of the first 45 minutes.
“In the first half we were supposed to be 3-1 up, too many one on one opportunities were missed.”
He noted that they were fully prepared for the game having spent two weeks encamped. Touching on the return game on Sunday, Huggins said that all they have to do is go out there, play and execute their game plan.
“We don’t have to worry about Guyana, we just have to take care of ourselves and we will reach far.”