The Under-20 national men’s football team, commonly referred to as the Junior Jaguars, extended their winning streak on Monday evening in a scintillating 3-0 victory over St Vincent and the Grenadines.
The Guyana U-20 team celebrate a goal during their game with St Vincent and the Grenadines
Playing at the Nicaragua National Football Stadium in Managua, Nicaragua, the Under-20 national team made it two in two as they overcame St Vincent and the Grenadines easily. Coming off of a 6-0 victory against Monserrat, during which Nicholas Mc Arthur struck a hat-trick and Omari Glasgow, the scored a second win.
At the sound of the first whistle, Guyana began their hunt for a goal with an attacking forward game, but St Vincent seemed as though they were up for the challenge, as they matched strides with the Guyanese youths.
This vigour from Guyana’s opponents was short-lived as Osafa Simpson netted the first goal of the game in the 35th minute to give Guyana the lead.
Following the break, the Fruta Conquerors Under-20 player found the back of the net once again, two minutes after play resumed for another bout of celebration from the Guyanese boys.
Meanwhile, under the watchful eyes of the likes of Marcus Wilson, Guyana’s backline remained solid, shutting down any chance St Vincent had of coming close to the net and its custodian.
Omari Glasgow refused to be left out of the scoring party for the second game in a row, as he netted Guyana’s third goal in the 68th minute and cemented the victory.
During an engagement with local media, the team’s Head Coach, Wayne Dover spoke highly of the team’s defensive players and the goalkeeper, who both fought hard to keep it together.
“During that period, they created three chances that forced our goalkeeper into action where he made a couple of spectacular saves to keep a clean sheet,” Dover explained.
“They continued to high press in search of a goal to reduce the deficit; however, we defended resolutely to deny them space to create any scoring opportunity. In one of their offensive moves, they lost possession high up the field, and we play off the counter-attack to score our third goal of the game.”
While the Junior Jaguars are in high spirits following two straight wins, Coach Dover emphasised the need for them to stay grounded and focused.
“It’s time for the players to come back to earth to refocus on the mission ahead. USVI isn’t a walk in the park, and no game is easy. We have to ensure no complacency step in where the players and staff start thinking the team is easy to beat and we achieved already. We have to approach the game with a level of seriousness and confidence. We have to be disciplined and play hard like in the previous games to continue with the good results achieved,” the Coach said of the team’s upcoming encounter.
Guyana now sit on six points in Group A of the Under-20 CONCACAF Championship qualifiers, tied on points with Nicaragua. However, the hosts are currently leading the Group on goal difference.
The Junior Jaguars will hunt another three points on Friday, February 21, when they take on the US Virgin Islands.
