Guyana’s Senior Men’s football team, the Golden Jags, will now set their sights on capitalizing on their home advantage come Monday evening, after getting their CONCACAF Nations League Campaign off to a flying start with a 1-0 victory over Aruba on Friday evening.
A glimpse of Guyana’s first CNL encounter
Playing at the Stadion Ergilio Hato in Curacao, the Marcio Maximo-led Golden Jaguars opted for a starting XI which featured Akel Clarke (GK), Samuel Cox (C), Kevin Layne, Matthew Briggs, Liam Gordon, Clive Nobrega, Keanu Marsh-Brown, Neil Danns, Kelsey Benjamin, Daniel Wilson and Sheldon Holder.
While their opponents seemed determined enough, the hyper focused Guyanese squad did not miss a mark, from the moment the whistle sounded. Their reward came soon as Kelsey Benjamin set up a tangible assist which later came off the boot of Sheldon Holder in the 22nd minute, giving Guyana the advantage.
The Golden Jags held on to their lead in the second half, and when it seemed like the scores would be levelled by their opponents, Aruba, Clarke leaped to the corner of the goalposts in the 90th, saving the Guyanese from a scare. The lone goal was eventually enough to secure the first points for the Guyanese and set them on the path to another CONCACAF Gold Cup qualification.
Meanwhile, Group mates Jamaica defeated Antigua and Barbuda 6-0.
The Golden Jaguars will now head home to take on the Jamaican National Team, the Reggae Boys in their second CONCACAF Nations League encounter. The teams will meet at the National Track and Field Center, Leonora, West Coast Demerara.
The game kicks off at 19:00hrs and tickets for entry cost $2000 and will be available at the gates.
