A resilient bit of second half play pulled Guyana’s senior men’s national team, the Golden Jaguars, from the jaws of defeat all the way to a crucial 3-1 victory over Puerto Rico on Saturday afternoon.
Competing at the St. Kitts and Nevis Football Association (SKNFA) Technical Center, the Golden Jaguars found themselves trailing the Puerto Ricans for much of the first half in the top-of-the-table Group D clash. Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz opted for a starting XI that read: Goal keeper Quillian Roberts, Captain Daniel Wilson, Reiss Greenidge, Curtez Kellman, Jalen Jones, Nathan Moriah-Welsh, Stephen Duke-Mckenna, Kelsey Benjamin, Elliot Bonds, Omari Glasgow and Liam Gordon.
Omari Glasgow (on ball) brought his personal tally to 5 goals from 3 games
What appeared like early nerves for the Golden Jaguars resulted in Puerto Rico controlling possession in the initial minutes of the game. ‘El Huracán Azul’ (The Blue Hurricane) wasted no time in capitalizing on their good touches, as Leandro Antonetti in the 11th minute netted what would be their only goal.
Darren Rios set up the scoring opportunity with a commanding shot across the face of the goal, which Antonetti need only to tuck in for the strike.
The remainder of the half passed quietly ,as the Golden Jaguars built up their momentum with a handful of shots on target.
In the second segment, a daring foul on Kelsey Benjamin in the 58th set up Guyana’s first scoring opportunity. As expected, Omari Glasgow went to the penalty mark and executed beautifully, sending the ball into the left corner, to level the scores in the 60th.
Just three minutes later, a spirited play set up by Stephen Duke-McKenna and Captain Daniel Wilson resulted in Liam Gordon rushing the defense, to make his way into the box. The pass came close to the corner of the nets, passing the Puerto Rican goalkeeper Joel Serrano, who had no time to react, the ball met Kelsey Benjamin in the perfect position to ease it in behind Serrano’s back for Guyana’s second strike.
A moment of lapse on Serrano’s part spurred Guyana third strike in the 85th minute. Deon Moore made initial contact with the long pass forward with a header, the pass meeting Serrano well outside his area. Relying on his footwork, or Serrano’s lack thereof, Moore rushed the keeper, executed the steal and guided the ball into the goal.
The 3-1 victory keeps the Golden Jaguars unbeaten in their 2023/2024 CONCACAF Nations League Group Stage campaign, and propels them to the top of Group D of League B.
Guyana will meet Puerto Rico again at the same venue on Tuesday, October 17. (Jemima Holmes)
