Latest update May 12th, 2024 12:59 AM
Sep 07, 2011 Sports
President Jagdeo pledges addition $1M to team
By Juanita Hooper
A double off the boot of striker Vurlon Mills, who netted in the 50th and 59th minutes strengthened Guyana’s chance of topping Group B in FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifiers after they defeated Bermuda 2-1 last evening at Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
Bermuda’s lone response was scored by their captain, Khano Smith, who netted their consolation strike on the stroke of full time.
Watched by a fair-sized crowd, the Guyanese produced a much improved performance than their opening match against Barbados last Friday.
The ‘Golden Jaguars’ after a lacklustre performance in the first match looked far more efficient and creative from the opening whistle and should have taken the lead much earlier, had it not been for some errant finishing.
First Shawn Beveney missed a header with his effort glancing on top of the cross bar before landing into touch. After that, Travis Grant in a similar manner, reached onto a cross from the left flank delivered by Walter Moore but his powerful header landed on the cross bar and rebounded into play.
Bermuda were also guilty of squandering the few chances that they created with Smith delivering a header straight at Ronson Williams stationed between the uprights, while one other opportunity went abegging.
In the end, the first period ended with no team managing to score. Five minutes after resumption, the ‘Jaguars’ broke the dead lock, when Dwain Jacobs sped down the right flank, before delivering a cross that eluded Goalkeeper Fredrick Hall and landed into the path of a lurking Mills, who slammed the ball into the net.
Shortly after, Bermuda almost levelled the score, but the shot sailed agonizingly outside the far post with Williams well beaten. It was a reprieve for the Guyanese.
Guyana stretched their advantage when a cross was partially saved and once again the rebound fell into the corridor where Mills was stationed and he made no mistake lashing his effort into the roof of the net. Buoyed by their success Guyana continued a relentless assault on the Bermudans defence and fashioned a few more opportunities to stretch their lead but stout defending supported by solid goalkeeping thwarted their advances.
After surviving the ‘Jaguars’ offensive onslaught the visitors eventually scored when a long pass from the back found an unmarked Smith who was undoubtedly their best player on show and he hammered a fierce left foot shot that blew past the outstretched hands of Williams and landed in to the far corner, giving them a valuable away goal.
They got another chance shortly after, but Williams was equal to the task saving a header from close range before the final whistle sounded, handing Guyana priceless points heading into the return fixtures.
Guyana is scheduled to play Barbados on October 7th in the return fixture and the Bermuda four days later.
Meanwhile, Kaieteur Sport learnt that President Bharrat Jagdeo has consented to present the team with an additional $1million for their victory. The President had pledged to support the team once they continue to perform and he lived up to his word by pledging the additional funds. President Jagdeo through his Advisor Odinga Lumumba pledged a house lot each to the squad if they win the Group as well as cash incentives. If their performance continues, the Guyana players will most certainly be a happy bunch based on the rewards being offered by the Head of State.
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