Junior Jags end U17 Qualifiers with victory over Bermuda

Although they will not finish as the group leaders, thus being unable to punch a ticket to the CONCACAF Under 17 Championships in 2023, Guyana’s National Under 17 football team finished the qualifying tournament on a high note with a narrow victory over Bermuda.
The Junior Jaguars overcame a last-minute scare to defeat the Group A leaders 3-2 at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida on Wednesday.

Head Coach Vurlon Mills went with Duquain Samuels as the goal’s custodian, while Captain Shakem Welcome, Swade Edwards, Gerry Burnette, Krishtian Louis, Seon Cato, Jaden Bascom, Kvist Paul, Matrim Martin, Shemaiah Samuels and Christopher Whitter made up Guyana’s starting XI.
The Junior Jaguars were able to tame the prowess that Bermuda have displayed against the other members of group A, with two early goals which rattled their opponents.
First, it was Samuels who found the back of the net in the 25th, then Whitter made it a 2-0 affair, with a beauty of a strike in the 34th.
What Guyana were unable to do, however, was keep Bermuda at bay, as the Bermudian boys pulled one back before the half. Daion Swan-Desilva was the marksman for Bermuda in the 39th, leaving the score at 2-1 by halftime.
In the second, the Under 17 boys returned hungry as ever, hoping to extend their lead. Whitter granted his team’s wish in the 69th, with a second goal and Guyana’s third.
As the minutes in the game died away, Bermuda were granted a scoring opportunity in the 80th. Hayden Dill successfully guided the ball to the right corner of the net, while Duquain Samuels found himself sliding left.
With the scores at 3-2 now, the atmosphere was reminiscent of Guyana’s first game of the qualifiers, where they succumbed to Bonaire at the last moment. Nonetheless, the Junior Jaguars held on valiantly to see out the remaining minutes of the game for the 3-2 victory.
In spite of the loss, Bermuda remain on top of Group A with 12 points, having four wins and one loss in the group and are likely to advance to the CONCACAF Under 17 Championships in 2023. Meanwhile, Bonaire and Bahamas’ match on Wednesday was cancelled and by virtue of this, Guyana have ended their campaign at second place in the Group with three wins, one draw, and one loss being responsible for their 10 points.