Guyana’s chances of finishing at the top of Group A of the CONCACAF Under 17 Championship Qualifiers were crushed on Monday, following a draw against the British Virgin Islands (BVI) at the IMG Academy, Florida.
Playing their penultimate Group game against BVI on Monday morning, the Junior Jaguars found it difficult to find the deciding goal in the drawn affair that ended 1-1.
While Duguain Samuels was, once again, the goal’s custodian, Shakem Welcome (Captain); Swade Edwards, Gerry Burnette, Krishtian Louis, Seon Cato; Kvist Paul; Omar Sam; Noah Kissoon; Matrim Martin and Bryan Wharton made up the remainder of Monday’s starting XI.
Both teams missed early chances to get ahead, resulting in a deadlock for much of the first half. However, it was BVI’s Johnny-Jay Rowe, who was able to break the ice with a strike in the 41st minute.
Coming back from the half-time break, Guyana looked hungrier in pursuit of the equaliser. After valiant work by the players, including the goalkeeper, Wharton levelled the scores with a goal for Guyana in the 70th minute.
Try as they may, the Junior Jaguars were unable to add to the solitary goal, setting for the drawn result.
Bermuda now sit at the top of Group A with 12 points from four wins, while Guyana is second with 7 points amassed from two wins, a loss, and a draw. Guyana will next come up against the group leaders in a showdown that is set for Wednesday, September 7 at the aforementioned venue in Florida.
The group winners will gain an automatic spot in the 2023 CONCACAF U17 Championships.