T&T stifle Jaguars’ roar

CONCACAF Gold Cup…
By Jemima Holmes

Indeed, a draw is better than two losses but the surprise last minute goal from Trinidad and Tobago will haunt the Golden Jaguars for a long time and leave the team wondering, what if?
It was Guyana’s final Gold Cup 2019 game, coming up against an all too familiar opponent, Trinidad and Tobago. While the two Caribbean neighbours have battled each other on the football field on countless occasions, the last game which was equally crucial to Wednesday evening’s Gold Cup encounter was a CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying fixture, which Guyana won by a 2-1 margin.
Fast forward to 2019, the Jaguars who had shown a trace of ‘winner’ potential in their first two games against USA and Panama, were said to be ‘buoyant’ and ready to take on their CARICOM confederates at the Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, Kansas.
As promised by Head Coach Johnson, the starting XI saw a few fresh faces with locals Pernell Shultz and Sheldon Holder being featured. Captain Samuel Cox, Terrence Vancooten, Ronayne Marsh Brown, Neil Danns, Daniel Kadell, Elliot Bonds, Anthony Jeffrey, and Keanu Marsh Brown were all a part of the trusted XI, while Goal keeper Quillian Roberts was given the opportunity to be the goal’s custodian for the first time in this Gold Cup.
The fresh faced XI seemed to work well but the highlight was Goal Keeper Quillian Roberts who had three superb saves for the half. The Trinidadian’s were warned early that Robert was about his business in the 29th when he did a full stretch left to deflect what would have been Trinidad and Tobago’s first goal. Roberts was on his P’s and Q’s for the remainder of the half, stretching and diving at exactly the right moment to keep the Trinidadians goalless. Meanwhile, the same crisp playing did not transcend to the Guyanese forwards, who did not have the best opening half.
Between the sloppy forward passes and Holder being out of range of every incoming ball, Guyana did not have as many chances at the goal as their Caribbean counterparts. This shortcoming would come back to haunt the Jaguars in the final minutes of the game, where they found themselves hunting a late goal, to no avail.
The second half had different things in store for the boys from the ‘Land of Many Waters’, who looked much more alert, than in the first 45 minutes. It seems as though Neil Danns is the man with the Golden boot for the Jaguars, having scored Guyana’s first ever Gold Cup goal and two others
Danns’ third goal and the first of this game came when he began inserting himself in the forward positions for Guyana, thus opening scoring opportunities. A brilliant shot of Danns’ right foot made it way to the corner of the cross bar and then into the net to give Guyana the advantage.
After much celebration, the Jags held on to the lead for the majority of the half but their worst nightmare was yet to come through. Kevin Molino, playing for the Twin Island Republic, had made himself know on several occasions throughout the game, however Molino was now about to etch his name onto the score sheet as he charged in to challenge Goalkeeper, Roberts.
For the first time in 80 minutes, Quillian Roberts found the ball out of his grasp as it made it’s way into the goal. Try as Brandon Beresford did, he could not assist the goal keeper in redirecting the ball and as such, Trinidad equalized with 13 minutes of play remaining.
From this point on, the intensity of the game heightened but spectators were not treated to another goal and the neighbors had to settle for a draw. Even with a drawn result, it meant good news for the Golden Jaguars; they finished third in their Group (D) in their first ever Gold Cup campaign.
This third place is even more significant given the fact that Trinidad and Tobago are experienced campaigners at the Gold Cup. Guyana securing their first ever Gold Cup points against the ‘Soca Warriors’ is another positive that can be taken away. The Guyana Golden Jaguars will now turn their attention to the CONCACAF Nations League which will be contested in the later months of the year.