Guyana’s under-16 boys’ football team, the Junior Jaguars, failed to roar for the second time in the UEFA Assist Friendly International tournament in Europe. In the second game on Thursday morning, the Junior Jags suffered a 7-0 defeat at the hands of Montenegro, and were unable to muster a reply.
Guyana’s starting XI for Thursday’s game against Montenegro
However, Head Coach Vurlon Mills has noticed some visible improvements in his team’s performance. Assessing his troops’ improved performance, he lamented the team’s inability to successfully convert their 2 chances in the first half.
“Coming into this game, we knew it wouldn’t have been an easy game for us. By just watching Montenegro first game, we knew it wouldn’t have been an easy game for us, but I think our boys, from the start of the game, managed the game well,” the Junior Jags Head Coach shared during a post-match interview.
Mills continued, “We got the first two chances in the game, we just didn’t capitalise on them. However, we continued to stay in the game. This game, we played much better on the ball, tried to settle it more, move it more, tried to create chances, but unfortunately, we went down seven by some simple mistakes. I think we conceded some very soft goals that could have been avoided,” he went on to state about their performance.
Similar to his comments at the end of Guyana’s first game against hosts Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mills again underscored the importance of the team gaining valuable in-game experience, and his detection of their steady improvement.
“Having the experience, having the exposure to play, the game is the best teacher. So, I think these boys coming out here to play, I think, game after game they’re going to keep improving, and this just got to be part of our preparation going into tournaments in the future,”
Mills explained, as he
also made reference to their CONCACAF U17 assignment in August.
He further stated, “Coming into this tournament, we had no practice games, and we already start on a loss there. Coming against these teams, who play 11 games for the past year, it’s kind of difficult to defeat them. For our boys, who have no experience, I think they gave their all and they’ve given a good account of themselves.”
Looking ahead at the Under 16’s next assignment against Lithuania, the Head Coach discussed their need to improve on defending set pieces, as a key to their success.
“I think our main focus for next game has to be how we defend our set pieces, because despite planning for set pieces, these boys that we’re playing against are so tall, that it’s difficult for our boys to challenge them in the air.”
Mills added, “I mean, we got to plan strategic on how we set up to defend set pieces; but, generally, I just think our team has to be brave, aggressive, attack the ball, give that player that jam, take him off balance. But, you know, it’s tough for us against set pieces.”
Guyana will take on Lithuania on Sunday, April 14, in their final game of the friendly tournament.
