Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Oct 12, 2011 Sports
Shabazz urges Guyanese to dream positively
Guyana’s ‘Golden Jaguars’ played with a big heart to rebound in style and earn a draw against home team Bermuda and in the process maintain their hold at the top of Group B when qualifying for the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 continued yesterday around the world.
Playing at the Bermuda National Sports Centre, Prospect, The ‘Golden Jaguars’ playing without their Captain Christopher Nurse and Gregory Richardson, put on a disciplined performance to erase a 1-0 deficit and earn a 1-1 draw against a tough Bermuda side which the Guyanese had defeated here in Guyana 2-1.
Conscious that the game would not be an easy battle, the ‘Golden Jaguars’ were prepared mentally and physically for the engagement with the Technical staff making a few changes to the starting line-up which had defeated Barbados a few days earlier in what was another tough assignment.
Vurlon Mills, who had scored the double against the Bermudians made the starting eleven after being rested against Barbados. Travis ‘Zorro’ Grant who came in as a substitute against Barbados made the first X1 ahead of Alinani Mounter.
The starting combination went about the task of representing their country with determination in a tough engagement.
They kept the focus up until the 71st minute when John Musum opened the scoring for the home team.
Prior to the goal being scored, Guyana made its first change with Mills making way for Ricky Shakes in the 58th minute. Shakes’ introduction to the game was another master move by the Technical Staff as was the case against Barbados when Anthony Abrams was brought in.
Despite being down, the Jaguars kept their composure and focus as they went in search of the equalizer.
Another substitution was made by the Guyanese in the 73rd minute with the nippy Forward Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams coming in for Howard Newton. Compact play by the Jaguars brought the neutralizing goal in the 81st minute; Shakes, who plays for Ebbsfleet United in England netting his first International goal to send his teammates into a frenzy.
The focus, discipline and composure were maintained by the Guyanese for the rest of the game and with six minutes to full time, Grant was replaced by Anthony Benfield.
Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz commented after the game: “Our guys played with a big heart and showed tremendous character to come from a goal down. We need more time together and more support and funding for the programme.”
Shabazz thanked the Guyanese nation for supporting the team with their prayers and positive vibes, “Guyana I dare you to dream a positive dream.”
In other results from around the Caribbean yesterday: Trinidad and Tobago defeated Barbados 4-0 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in the Twin Island Republic; Lester Peltier scored three goals (7′, 54′, 62′), Hughton Hector the other in the 90th minute.
Suriname lost in their home town to the Dominican Republic 3-1 playing at the Andre Kamperveen Stadium. Naldo Kwasie pulled one back in the 80th for the home team but it was too late; Jonathan Fana (9) and a double from Erick Ozuna (47, 75) had already sealed the deal for the visitors.
Playing at home Haiti kept their composure to erase a two goal deficit to draw with Curacao 2-2. Siberie Richmar (7) and Bito Sendley (14) had given the visitors the advantage but Haiti kept their pride at home intact with responses of their own.
Maurice Jean Eudes from the penalty spot in the 25th reduced the deficit before the equalizer came in the 60th off the boot of Pierre Jean Jacques.
Antigua & Barbuda hammered the US Virgin Islands 10-0 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, St. John’s Antigua.
Tamarley Thomas (6, 41, 78) and Peter Byers (23, 30, 39) each netted a hat-trick, Randolph Burton (54, 66) scored twice with one each for Jamie Thomas (85) and Kieran Murtagh on the stroke of full time.
Group B Standings
Team MP GF GA Pts
Guyana 4 7 2 10
Trinidad and Tobago 4 8 2 9
Bermuda 4 4 5 4
Barbados 4 0 10 0
Please share this to every Guyanese including your house cats.
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