No one expected Guyana to be here, but on March 23 2018, with a 2-1 win against Belize on home soil, the Guyana Golden Jaguars began writing history for the country and its football.
Emery Welshman in control against Trinidad and Tobago
It’s fine that no one expected much from this small country on the northeastern portion of South America, but when the Guyanese team, clothing in yellow, took to the field in USA for the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2019, many were left wanting more from this quickly developing team.
Drawn in Group ‘D’ with USA, Panama and Trinidad and Tobago, the local boys were made to challenge defending champions USA first. Despite losing 4-0, the team hailing from the ‘Land of Many Waters’ was able to restrict the swift and highly skilled USA team.
The same potential was displayed against Panama, but a few rookie mistakes caused the eventual downfall of the team.
Overall, the Golden Jaguars have represented themselves well, considering they were debutants, and Head Coach Michael Johnson agrees with this assertion.
“It’s been a wonderful tournament, and it’s great to get our first point,” he said at a post-match press briefing. “In any sport discipline, whether it be boxing, hockey or baseball, the higher level you play at is the better you’ll be for next time, because you now understand the expectations ‘of what is expected’ when you’re playing on the world stage. For most of our players, this is the first time ever they’ve been on a level like this, and I’d like to think (that) over the course of the tree games, they’ve done themselves really proud,” Johnson further said as he explained why the Jaguars should be commended.
Critically analysing the Jags’ performance against Trinidad and Tobago, he said it could have been way better.
“It’s disappointing to end like that, but if I take the whole competition into context, it’s been historical. We scored three goals, Danns has been fantastic throughout the tournament, and we’re here. So it’s something to celebrate and enjoy,” he said.
The Head Coach was elated that the team had not finished its campaign at the bottom of Group ‘D’. While USA won every match for a full nine points, and Panama copped 6 from two wins, Guyana tied on 1 point with T&T, but was adjudged above the twin-island republic because of a better goal difference.
Shifting his attention to the future, the Head Coach is positive that this is not the last that the world sees of the Guyana Golden Jaguars. In fact, the Coach believes that this first Gold Cup performance is only the beginning of a beautiful story.
“I’m sure this is going to be the start of you seeing us regularly at the Gold Cup. That is the hope, the dreams, the beliefs of this squad and the nation; that this is not just a one-off. So when today dies down, we will celebrate what has been an announcing of us on the world stage,” Johnson has stated.
Danns is the Don!
Anyone who has witnessed all three of Guyana’s Group ‘D’ encounters, whether by television or in person, can agree on one thing: Neil Danns is exceptional! The 36-year-old, who usually plays for the Bury F.C., can be considered key to Guyana’s success at its first Gold Cup, having scored all three of the nation’s goals in the tournament.
The first came when Guyana was starting to panic against Panama in its second group game. Taking advantage of a penalty kick, Danns buried the ball in goal to create history: Guyana’s first ever Gold Cup goal. But the midfielder bearing the number 16 on his shirt did not stop there. Even though the Guyanese outfit was aware that the game against Panama was already lost (with the score at 4-1), Danns remained optimistic and sunk yet another goal to make for a more respectable finishing score, 4-2.
Coupling this performance with the beauty of a goal scored against Trinidad and Tobago in the final Group game, it leaves no question why Danns was chosen in the CONCACAF’s Best XI for the group stage. Danns has been proudly etched into the category alongside the likes of USA’s Aaron Long, Mexico’s Andres Guardado and Canada’s Jonathan David.
Danns was also one goal shy of finishing in the top three for the Group Stage’s highest goal scorers. Head Coach Michael Johnson had full praise for the Guyanese at heart, not only commending his Gold Cup run, but his overall work ethic.
“We’re talking about a guy who’s 36, (but) who trains like an 18-year-old; and I encourage so many of the young players to watch this guy. He’s in the gym, does his runs, eats well, looks after himself, and that’s why he’s still playing at this level, and also a good level back home in England, because of the standards he sets for himself. So everything he gets he deserves,”
What’s Next?
The Guyana Golden Jaguars team will now shift their attention to the CONCACAF Nations’ League, which is slated to begin in September. This competition will give the Jaguars much needed playing time and exposure.
The Guyanese will turn their attention to the Nations’ League, where they have been drawn in Group ‘G’, League ‘B’. The local team will play three home and away games against their group mates Aruba, Jamaica and Antigua and Barbuda.
Their first game will be against Aruba on September 6th on their opponent’s home turf. Guyana will play their home games on September 9, October 14 and November 15.
If the Golden Jaguars survive the group stage, they will be able to go on to the semifinal and final which is scheduled for March 21-23 2020.
