Golden Jaguars battle to hard fought draw against El Salvador

San Salvador, El Salvador – Guyana’s Golden Jaguars clinched their first points in Group B with a commendable 2-2 draw against El Salvador when action in the North, Central American and Caribbean Zone third round 2014 World Cup qualifiers continued Friday evening at the Estadio Cuscatlan ground.

The star of the night for the Jaguars was 19-year old, Caledonia AIA, left-winger Trayon Bobb who, in his first start of these qualifiers, scored a clinical double in the 20th and 54th minutes. Isidro Gutierrez and Osael Romero scored for the home side in the fourth and 21st minutes respectively.

Trayon Bobb

With Mexico defeating Costa Rica 2-0 in Friday night’s simultaneous Group B encounter, Tuesday’s home game is now a must-win game for the Jaguars. According to FIFA, Mexico will qualify for the next round if they defeat Costa Rica at the Estadio Azteca on Tuesday while Guyana will be eliminated if they lose at home to El Salvador and Costa Rica topples Mexico.

Thus home support once more at Providence on September 11 will be a key factor in aiding the Jaguars getting a victory in that encounter.

In front of a typical hostile Central American crowd, the locals were decked out in a sea of blue to show support for La Selecta, while inversely intimidating the visiting Golden Jaguars. On what was a fairly damp outfield which made passing tricky and control of the ball difficult for both sides, the 90 minutes of play descended into a lively counter-attacking affair with both defences looking appreciably vulnerable.

Guyana’s defence was the first to be exposed as La Selecta opened the scoring inside five minutes. A long cross from midfield, was misjudged by Walter Moore at left back. EL Salvador’s number 23 Gutierrez then proceeded to ghost into the box and fire his shot straight through the legs of goal-keeper Richard Reynolds.

The opening 20-minute salvo from that first goal saw the home side in relative control as the Jaguars struggled to grab a foothold on the proceedings.

Totally against the run of play, Guyana struck back thanks solely to the Gregory “Jackie Chan” Richardson/Bobb partnership which would go on to torment the hosts for the remainder of the game.

Richardson took advantage of fumble in the Salvadoran midfield. He broke away on the counter-attack and slid a pass to Bobb who slammed home a superb left foot strike from just outside the 18-yard box into the top of the net past the outstretched glove of goalkeeper Dagaberto Portillo. This sent his teammates and support staff into pandemonium as the Jaguars scored their first official player goal of the qualifiers.

That feeling of ecstasy was immediately short-lived however, as La Selecta made it 2-1 right after kick-off. Gutierrez was again into the action as he ran down the right flank before crossing into the path of number eight (8) Osmael Romero who charged forward from mid-field and slotted home the goal in the 21st minute. The Jaguars’ central defence became lethargic and were punished for seemingly switching off at a crucial transition phase of the game.

The remainder of the first half closed out in frenetic gung-ho fashion for both teams, with El Salvador slightly more composed in mid-field while Guyana continued to try and catch the hosts on the counter attack.

As the second half resumed the telepathic Richardson/Bobb combination would once again link to devastating effect.

Richardson, who had one of his best games for the national team, playing in the trequartista/playmaker position, sent a delightful through ball into Bobb’s path. With the defenders flat footed, Bobb only had the ‘keeper to negotiate and he obliged once more, to bring the Golden Jaguars back level on the night. The final 30 minutes saw both teams creating further opportunities to win the game, but each side failed to secure a winner as the game petered out to a draw.

Two of the more notable chances occurred firstly in the 71st minute; when Salvadoran number 16 Jamie Alas, hit a long range shot that hit the top of the cross bar. While for the Jaguars in the 73rd minute on the counter attack, Chris Nurse passed the ball from mid-field into the path of substitute Dwain Jacobs whose cross across the face of the goal was barely smothered away by the ‘keeper, before arriving right-winger – Ricky shakes came in to make his shot.