Golden Jaguars finish strong with 3-0 victory over Montserrat

Jun 11, 2025 Sports

…Guyana ends World Cup campaign

Golden Jaguars finish strong with 3-0 victory over Montserrat

Guyana’s starting line-up ahead of their clash with Montserrat at the National Track and Field Centre. (GFF)

By Rawle Toney

Kaieteur Sports – After a nervy start to their final CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying campaign, the Golden Jaguars roared back with a commanding 3-0 win over Montserrat last evening at the National Track and Field Centre, bringing the curtains down on their 2026 journey with pride, if not points.

Losses to Panama (4-1) and Nicaragua (1-0), despite a win against Belize (3-1) meant Guyana’s road to the World Cup ended earlier than hoped, turning the clash with Montserrat into a battle for redemption and national pride.

Coach Wayne Dover named what he thought was a solid XI, with Akel Clarke between the uprights. In defence, Romaine Brackenridge, Reiss Greenidge, and Jalen Jones formed the backline.

Captain Nathan Moriah-Welsh, who had a stellar performance on the night, anchored the midfield alongside Curtez Kellman and Nathan Ferguson, while the attacking quartet featured Omari Glasgow, Kelsey Benjamin, Enoch George, and Osaze De Rosario.

Montserrat, led by Coach Angus Eve, came out of the blocks quickly and nearly silenced the home crowd in the 8th minute, only to see their close-range effort cannon off the crossbar.

But then came the Omari Glasgow show.

The Chicago Fire winger tormented defenders down the left flank, dancing past tackles and whipping in dangerous crosses, though his teammates struggled to finish.

Jalen Jones missed a golden opportunity from one of those deliveries, heading wide from point-blank range.

In the 35th minute, the breakthrough finally arrived.

Slingerz FC’s Kelsey Benjamin weaved through defenders before slipping a clever ball to Ferguson, who clinically volleyed home past Montserrat’s Trent Carter-Rogers.

Just three minutes later, Osaze De Rosario, Seattle Sounders MLS Next Pro forward, bullied his way past two defenders and smashed in his sixth goal in just nine international appearances to double Guyana’s lead.

Guyana took that 2-0 cushion into the break, and picked up exactly where they left off in the second half. Glasgow remained unplayable on the wing, but the finishing continued to let the team down.

George fluffed another point-blank chance off another Glasgow assist, and even the star man himself missed a sitter after being set up beautifully by De Rosario inside the 18-yard box.

Captain Moriah-Welsh then rattled the woodwork with a thunderous effort, leaving fans groaning in disbelief.

Second-half substitute Liam Butts, of New England Revolution Next Pro, was played through on goal by Moriah-Welsh but hit his shot tamely at the keeper. The small but vocal crowd at the West Demerara venue made their frustration known.

But in the 72nd minute, Moriah-Welsh once again pulled the strings in midfield, finding Benjamin on the flank.

The Slingerz FC winger delivered an assist to Glasgow, who made no mistake this time. It was a sweet finish, and a sweeter moment for the 21-year-old who extended his record as Guyana’s all-time leading goal scorer with his 21st international strike.

Dover made further changes, bringing on Darron Niles (Slingerz FC) and Nerron Borrow (Guyana Police Force) for George and De Rosario.

Kvist Paul, who plies his trade at Waterhouse FC in Jamaica, had his first taste of international football, coming on for Greenidge, while Nicholas McArthur of GPF FC replaced Benjamin.

Niles almost added gloss to the scoreline with a powerful shot, but Carter-Rogers was equal to the task. That proved to be the final act of the night, and the campaign.

The Golden Jaguars signed off with a clean sheet and a convincing win, but the bigger picture remains another World Cup cycle ends in disappointment.

The Guyana Football Federation now faces a familiar task, back to the drawing board, as the nation waits for the day the World Cup dream becomes reality.

2026 World Cup, CONCACAF, Golden Jaguars, National Track and Field Centre, World Cup Qualifying

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