Guyana’s Golden Jaguars held Cuba, the Caribbean’s top football team to a respectable 0-0 draw yesterday at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, following a 2-1 win over the Cubans in Linden last Friday which proved that the victory was no fluke.
Both teams had several scoring opportunities but failed to convert on a dry GCC ground under brilliant sunshine in contrast to Friday’s encounter on a soggy Mackenzie Sports Club ground.
Cuba ranked 88th by FIFA, football’s world governing body started the match looking to score an early goal as they did against the Jaguars in Linden but their effort was thwarted by a sturdy Guyanese defence and an alert Richard Reynold in the home team’s goal.
Cuban striker Leonel Durarte kept the Jaguars’ defence busy with several effective runs, but Reynolds was quickly off his line on at least two critical occasions to avert any anxious moments for the Guyanese who are currently 132 in FIFA’s ranking.
Playing with three of the overseas-based players Jade Newton, Chris Bourne and Howard Newton in the starting line up, the Jaguars were slow to the ball and were out-marshalled by their opponents at midfield, however the defence stood up well under some early pressure.
The Jaguars had an excellent scoring opportunity midway in the first half when aggressive striker Anthony “Awo” Abrams was brought down at the edge of the box but Konata Manning’s free kick struck the Cuban wall and his second attempt went wide of the mark.
Minutes later Abrams broke away from his marker on the left side, made a square pass to Collie Hercules who was tightly marked but he could not control the ball and eventually lost possession.
The Cubans had a few build ups on the right wing with a few tantalizing crosses but they failed to score.
Chris Bourne penetrated the left side for Guyana and the pay deflected off a Cuban defence for a corner.
In the ensuing corner Abrams once again came close to scoring from a corner but Cuban keeper Jose Manuel Miranda made a gallant effort on the far post minutes before half time.
Guyana looked more aggressive in the second session but their finish was lacking.
Technical Director Jamal Shabbazz made several substitutions in the second half injecting fresh legs into the game but the Cuban defence players stood firm.
The Guyanese had one final golden opportunity when Hercules penetrated the left side and crossed the ball in the six-yard box but substitute Edison Gomes’s sliding attempt was futile.
Head coach of the Golden Jaguars Wayne Dover said that the players performed well, but there is still a lot of work to be done before Guyana’s World Cup qualifiers in June.
Dover said that the current inclement weather was also affecting the team’s preparation.
Digicel Guyana announced five friendly internationals between the two teams and it is likely that the local side will be travelling to Havana for matches in the near future.
The Jaguars have had creditable results in their preparation for the 2010 World Cup campaign losing only to Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago in a closed-door game.
They have also played two matches against St. Vincent and the Grenadines winning one and drawing the other.
Guyana drew a bye to the second round of the CONCACAF qualifying series.
