By Emmerson Campbell
Guyana’s Golden Jaguars opened their Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Cup Group Six campaign yesterday with a 1-nil defeat to Haiti at the Grenada National Stadium here in St. George’s.
A goal by midfielder, Olrish Saurel, one minute after half time (46th minute) coupled with missed opportunities, put paid to the locals in a hard fought encounter.
The #116 ranked FIFA national team battled with Haiti (ranked #57) despite missing key starting players throughout the game as both teams fought for loose balls, attacked relentlessly and played tight defense.
The game was still a nil-all stalemate after 45 minutes of play and both teams upped the ante after half time but only the opposition was rewarded.
A free kick by Saurel after he was fouled by Captain Chris Nurse just outside the 18-yard box missed its intended target but bounced harmlessly into the goal to put the Haitians up one-nil.
The Jaguars would claw their way back and create several chances to score, but simply failed to find the back of the net, the most notable blunder was in the 70th minute when Trayon Bobb’s shot which should have been an easy goal sailed inches above the cross bar.
In an invited comment Coach Jamaal Shabazz said that his charges played a great game but the missed opportunities were their downfall.
“I thought we were very unfortunate not to come away with at least a point, Carter (goalkeeper) did well in the goal, I thought the team played well, we fought very hard against a mature Haitian team that was also was well organized but at the end we missed a couple chances that should have given it to us but we have two more games to go”.
The locals will take on the host’s national team affectionately called ‘The Spice Boys’ tomorrow followed by their other Group Six foe, French Guiana on Sunday.
Kick off time for tomorrow’s game is 20:00hrs at the same venue.
The top two teams in this group will qualify for the final next month in Antigua.
Guyana’s starting 11 was Nurse (Captain) ,Derrick Carter (goalkeeper), Jake Newton, Walter Moore, Dwain Jacobs, Charles Pollard, Shawn Beveney, Vurlon Mills, Kester Jacobs, Bobb and Jamaal Smith.
Haiti’s 11 was Jhony Placide (Captain/ goalkeeper) ,Saurel, Jeasony Alcenat, Jean Rubin, Peter German, Judelin Aveska, Leonel Preux, Peguero Philippe, Constant Monuma, Ednerson Raymond and Jean Alexandre.
