Cuba outfox Junior Lady Jags 2-1 in U17 Qualifiers opener

Guyana’s National Under- 17 Girls team, the Junior Lady Jags, on Monday afternoon embarked on their journey at the CONCACAF U17 Qualifiers but unfortunately did not have the best start to their campaign, being edged by Cuba 2-1.

Competing at the Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Cuba’s Yaiselis López broke the ice between the two teams in the 44th minute, after a 1v1 with Guyana’s goalkeeper.
However, Guyana would have a great start to the second half as a volley from way out, off the feet of Guyana’s Alexaudria Chasles saw the scores being levelled in the 56th minute. But, eight minutes later, Cuba mad ethe most of a set piece opportunity with Aneilis Calvo finding the back of the net for the eventual game- winning goal.
Guyana’s U17 Girls will come up against Panama next today, Wednesday, January 29 at the same venue from 20:00hrs local time.
Guyana was drawn in Group C of the Competition alongside the likes of Panama, Cuba, and Turks and Caicos Islands. With six Groups in the Round One Qualifiers, Guyana will need to wither win their group or be one of two best second- placed teams in order to move on to the next round of the competition.
There, the advancing teams will meet the four top-ranked teams in the CONCACAF region, namely; Canada, Haiti, Mexico and USA. Once advanced to the final round of the competition, which will run from March 31 to April 6, 2025; the teams will be placed in three groups of four to compete in round robin play. The three group winners and best second- placed team in the final round will secure a spot in the 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup billed for later this year.