Curaçao slips past Junior Jags 3–2 in U20 Qualifiers opener

Chances went a-begging as Guyana opened their CONCACAF Under-20 Qualifiers campaign on Tuesday night with a narrow 3–2 loss to hosts Curaçao at the Rignaal “Jean” Francisca Stadium in Willemstad, Curaçao.
Head Coach Thomas Dooley opted to start with Captain Max Robinson, with Emmanuel Lewis in goal, alongside Walker Shabazz-Edwards, Dakarai Drakes, Jaden Thom, Mark Phillips, Mateo Clarke, Shaquan David, Bryan Wharton, Sheldon Kendall and Reiss Parris.

Though the higher-ranked hosts pushed to maintain possession early, Guyana were the side to strike first in the eighth minute. Shaquan David capitalised on a slip-up in the Curaçao defence, sending the ball across to Bryan Wharton, who executed a right-footed shot into the top-right corner of the net.
Guyana maintained their lead for another 12 minutes before Curaçao’s #11 drew a foul in the box, allowing Damiënthly Bernardina to level the scores from the penalty spot in the 20th minute.
By that point, Guyana had several chances to seal the lead in the contest. Around the 32nd minute, another masterful steal from David saw Mateo Clarke advance with the ball to challenge the lone remaining defender and goalkeeper; however, Clarke skied the ball as the chance went begging.
Then, Reiss Parris Reiss Parris faced the decision to shoot or pass after breaking through Curaçao’s defence and getting into the penalty area. Parris’ decision to shoot eventually became an unfortunate one as the ball sailed over the crossbar in another missed opportunity for the Junior Jags.
Curaçao’s Dayvi Busby then handed the home side the lead in the 34th minute, curling the ball with his left foot into the far corner of the goal.

The score remained 2-1 in Curaçao’s favour at the interval and well into the second half, even though several opportunities went the way of Guyana and their opponents.
Bernardina completed his brace in the 68th minute, finishing from close range after receiving an assist from Jorvimar Martina.
When it looked as though Curaçao would cruise to victory, it did not come without some hiccups for the hosts as the encounter got increasingly tense in the closing minutes.
From a set piece in the 90th minute, Jaden Thom kept the ball alive in the box before Reiss Parris tapped home Guyana’s second goal.
The battle intensified in stoppage time as Guyana sent several desperate shots into the box, but it was a little too late for the Junior Jaguars, who had to settle for the disappointing loss.
Nonetheless, the Guyanese side will be back on the pitch on Saturday, February 28, taking on Anguilla at 17:00h local time.