Latest update January 18th, 2025 7:00 AM
Concacaf Under-20 Championship Guyana suffer 0-4 loss to Guatemala in opening Group ‘F’ match
Kelsey Benjamin dribbles a second Guatemala player yesterday at the IMG Academy Field #2 during the 4-0 loss.
By Franklin Wilson in Florida, USA
Compliments of Industrial Safety Supplies,
Secure Innovation & Concepts and Fitness Express
After holding off the more accomplished and well-oiled Guatemala team at bay for almost the entire opening 45 minutes, the Guyana lads let in the first goal on the stroke of half time when the two sides met in the first Group ‘F’ match of the Concacaf 2018 Under-20 Championship on Field #2 yesterday here at the IMG Academy, Bradenton Florida, USA.
It was expected that the Guatemalans would have presented a tough test for the Guyanese who stood up to the task and fought to the best of their ability despite going down 0-4 when the final whistle was blown by Mexican Referee, Fernando Hernandez following approximately 95 minutes of exchanges.
Head Coach Wayne Dover did say that the young Guyanese were going to be as competitive as they could have and aim for a positive result but they were up against it as the Guatemalans showed their superiority form the start to end.
The young Golden Jaguars however, frustrated Los Chapines which had been the dominant side piecing together passes in bunches whilst forcing a number of corners during the first half but they just could not get past goalkeeper Johnathan Vaughn and his quartet of defenders.
Guyana had two early opportunities to take the lead but Thair Britton could not make those chances count, he was eventually the first player to be subbed when he was replaced by Leon Richardson on 26 minutes.
And just before the break, the fight put up by Guyana was about to end in a match that was contested under grey skies and windy conditions. Guatemalan Captain Rudy Barrientos led with aplomb to break the deadlock on the stroke of halftime much to the relief of his colleagues and Coaching staff.
Coach Dover and his Technical team sought to review what transpired in the opening 45 minutes whilst preparing the players mentally, for the final 45 minutes. Seeking to build on their first half performance was what the young Golden Jaguars were aiming for but a much more aggressive Guatemala team had it their way once again, this time they fired in
Guyana’s goalkeeper Johnathan Vaughn flies in vain as Guatemala’s Jose Ardon scores their second goal in the 53rd minute. (Franklin Wilson photo)
three more unanswered goals.
Eight minutes into the half, a long range shot from the right outside the box from Jose Ardon eluded the grasp of the back peddling Vaughn to beat him at the far corner; Ryan Hackett it was who failed to close down Ardon who made the Guyanese pay dearly for the lapse.
Guyana made its second substitution in the 61st minute when Hackett was replaced by Nicholas Mc Arthur who made some enterprising runs on his introduction to the match as he made his presence felt.
However, four minutes later, another well built up play by the Guatemalans brought their third goal, this time it was Nery Cifuentes who put the ball past Vaughn in the 65th minute. Guyana made another substitution, moments after conceding again, Nixon Robertson replacing Bevan Baker.
The Guyanese were awarded their first corner in the 68th minute but the resulting short pass that was taken was quickly intercepted by their opponents who were determined not to allow the young Jaguars to score.
Another shot from outside brought Guatemala’s fourth goal, Oscar Santis was the player adding his name to the score sheet to ensure his country commence group play on a positive note. The winners also made three substitutions.
The other group F match yesterday saw El Salvador edging Curacao 2-1 in an exciting clash but it is Guatemala that sits at the top of the group on goal difference ahead of El Salvador. The other team in the group, Cayman Islands would open their account tomorrow when they face El Salvador from 17:30hrs at the IMG Soccer Stadium.
Before that match however, Guatemala would take on Curacao, Guyana’s next match would be on Tuesday against the Cayman Islands on Field #2 from 10:30hrs which gives them a few days to recover.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Burnham must be having a good laugh
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- Each week, the more Bharrat Jagdeo speaks, the more the lines between party and government... more
Clarifying misconceptions about the Panama Canal
Sir Ronald Sanders (Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the US and the OAS) By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News–... more
Weekend Cartoon
