In the sweltering Kingston heat on Wednesday, the Guyana men’s National Hockey team continued winning ways while the women were held to a draw in a tough game against hosts Jamaica.
The Guyanese are in the hunt for spots at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games set for Barranquilla, Colombia in 2018.
Playing in the morning session, the Guyanese ladies took on the Jamaicans and they were stifled offensively with their forwards unable to find the back of the goal.
However, their (Guyana’s) defence withstood a stern test from the Jamaicans and
The National Men’s team continued their winning ways
by the final whistle the scores remained locked at 0-0.
Looking ahead to today’s clash with Bermuda, Guyana’s goalie Briawna Gordon noted that the team will go into the clash with the same mindset, try to remain focused, execute their game plan and remain defensively sound.
The Guyanese men took on Guatemala in the afternoon session and continued their impressive form by dispatching their opponents 4-0.
Perhaps Guyana’s most offensively sound player, Jamarj Assanah opened proceedings for his side after just eight minutes had gone by in the first half slotting home from a penalty corner. Despite taking the lead early on, the Guyanese would not score again until the second half as the Guatemalans managed to repel their attacks for the remainder of the first half.
However upon resumption, the dangerous Aroydy Branford netted Guyana’s second goal off of another penalty corner in the 47th minute. The captain, Robert France extended his scoring streak in the 54th minute by scoring a field goal while Orlando Semple rounded off the victory with a field goal of his own in the 58th minute.
The Guyanese men are now second on the points table with six points; the Jamaicans are top also on six points but with a superior goal difference.
Speaking after their victory, Aroydy Branford said that the team is feeling “strong” going into their clash against Panama today. He also revealed that the team will be following their same game plan as well as maintaining the same mindset.
In the other female matchups of the day, Bermuda defeated Panama 4-0 while Puerto Rico dispatched of Guatemala by the same score line.
Up to press time the Puerto Rican men were leading Panama 3-1, the official result of that game will be published in a subsequent report. (Michelangelo Jacobus)
