Guyana’s Golden Jaguars failed to break the jinx of beating Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca Warriors but their respectable 1-1 draw against the world-rated Trinidadians at the National Stadium at Providence last night has set the stage for an interesting Digicel Caribbean Cup.
The Soca Warriors took the lead in the 35th minute off a shot from Devon Jorsling but the Golden Jaguars responded in the 40th minute through striker Dwight Peters who booted home the equalizer in a very entertaining encounter watched by close to 9000 fans.
The Golden Jaguars started the game in an aggressive mood forcing their opponents on the defensive .
Guyanese striker Anthony “Awo” Abrams could have given his team the lead as early as the ninth minute but his shot went just wide of the mark.
Two minutes later Shawn `Bubbly’ Beveney also had a golden opportunity but his attempt was saved by an outstretched Jan Williams in goal for the Trinidadians.
Dwain Jacobs also produced several impressive runs on the left flank but his crosses lacked support from Guyana’s midfielders and main striker Abrams.
The Jaguars kept the pressure up for a further 15 minutes before their opponents launched a pugnacious counterattack.
Their earlier efforts were thwarted by a sturdy defensive wall of Captain Howard Lowe, John Rodrigues, Christopher Bourne and Denvor Dennis with goalkeeper Ronson Williams equal to his task.
However, the Soca Warriors began to penetrate their opponents’ right defence with right winger Lester Peltier being a tormentor to Dennis.
The Trinidadians had struck the cross bar on two occasions including a shot by Hughtun Hector from a free kick 18 minutes out.
Peltier was so penetrative in his attack that his team’s goal came from one of his ensuing runs in the 35th minute.
The Trinidadian striker escaped from Dennis and passed inside the penalty area to a lurking and unmarked Jorsling who chested the ball into the goal which silenced the large crowd.
Guyana’s equalizer came five minutes later when Jacobs, switched to the right side, manoeuvered into the Warriors goal area and squared the ball to Peters who struck it into the back of the net.
The second half saw both teams attempting to gain the upper hand but squandering critical scoring opportunities including a miss at goal by the Trinidadian captain Clyde Leon.
Midway in the second half the Warriors second half substitute Jason Marcano also had his shot tipped over the bar by the Guyanese custodian.
In the final five minutes the home side launched a relentless attack but their efforts were in vain until the final whistle of referee Stanley Lancaster sounded.
In the supporting game, Guyana’s Junior Jaguars also gave a good account with a 0-0 draw against their Trinidadians counterparts.
Both teams had chances to score but Guyana’s goalkeeper Richie Richards and defenders Deshawn Joseph and Rayan Crandon marshaled the defence well.
The two matches formed part of the Presidents Cup organized by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and Kashif and Shanghai Organisation.
Guyana’s President Bharrat Jagdeo and GFF President Colin Klass met the two teams before the start of the match.
The Golden Jaguars and Soca Warriors are preparing for the Digicel Caribbean Cup which will kick off early next month, while the Under-20 teams of the two countries are gearing up for the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) World Cup preliminary competition.
The Senior team will meet Suriname, Netherland Antilles and St. Lucia from October 13-17 while the Under-20 players will play home to Jamaica, Grenada and the winner of the clash between Virgin Islands and Turks and Caicos Islands from October 6-10.
