Latest update December 16th, 2024 9:00 AM
Golden Jaguars hunting ‘spicy’ win tonight against Grenada
By Rawle Toney in Miami (Compliments of Team Mohamed’s)
Kaieteur Sports – In one of the most highly anticipated final matches of the first preliminary round, Guyana and Grenada are set to clash in a historic encounter at the CONCACAF Gold Cup today at the Drive Pink Stadium in Miami, Florida from 9:00pm.
Although the teams have faced each other 17 times in 43 years, this will mark their first meeting in the prestigious tournament.
Grenada has the upper hand in their head-to-head history, having won 10 matches compared to Guyana’s five victories. In their last encounter, in 2017, Grenada earned a 1 – 0 win over the Golden Jaguars.
Guyana’s last victory over Grenada came in 2012 – a 2-1 scoreline at the Grenada National Stadium in an International Friendly.
However, the Gold Cup provides a fresh opportunity for both teams to showcase their talent and make their mark on the international stage.
For Guyana, reaching the group stage in 2019 was a significant achievement, and they are now making their second consecutive trip to Florida for the preliminary round.
The Golden Jaguars secured their spot through their performance in Nations League B, where they finished with a respectable record of three wins, one draw, and two losses.
With Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz unable to make the voyage to Fort Lauderdale, his Assistant Wayne Dover will stand on the sidelines in charge of the 23-man squad.
The Golden Jaguars during the final stages of preparation before their preliminary round Gold Cup matches.
Major League Soccer (MLS) side Chicago Fire FC’s 19-year-old talisman Omari Glasgow, who emerged as a standout player during the Nations League, leading the team with three goals, will be key for Dover today upfront.
Meanwhile, the experienced Neil Danns, at 40 years old, continues to be a driving force in midfield. Danns scored three times in the 2019 Gold Cup and will be aiming for a similar impact this time around, drawing comparisons to legendary Cameroon striker Roger Milla.
Dover also leaned on Samuel Cox, Liam Gordon, Emery Welshman, Akel Clarke, Kai McKenzie-Lyle, Elliot Bonds, Kadel Daniel, Stephen Duke-McKenna, Trayon Bobb, Omari Glasgow, Curtez Kellman, and Daniel Wilson, given the fact that they were part of the team that played against Guatemala in the last outing of the Gold Cup, in the preliminary round.
Jonathan Grant, Jalen Jones, Marcus Simmons, Tre Mitford, Deon Moore, Renell McKenzie-Lyle, Leo Lovell, and Daniel Wilson will be having their first taste of the CONCACAF showpiece.
Grenada, on the other hand, has previously reached the group stage on three occasions and is looking to secure a second consecutive appearance.
After finishing third in their League A group, trailing behind the United States and El Salvador, the Spice Boyz find themselves in the Prelims.
Jamal Charles, who scored once in League A, has been a consistent goal scorer for Grenada, boasting a total of seven goals across the two editions of the Nations League.
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