Guyana opened its Pan American Hockey Federation (PAHF) Challenge in a positive manner, coming from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Puerto Rico yesterday in Chicklayo, Peru.
Star player Aroydy Brandford netted both goals for Guyana
Absent from the international field hockey for eight years, Guyana got off to the worst possible start as Joseph Agosto broke the deadlock for the Puerto Ricans compliments of a 12th minute penalty corner conversion.
It went from bad to worse for the Guyanese as Gilberto Monserrate made it 2-0, finding the back of the net compliments of a 23rd minute field goal. Nonetheless, Branford began the comeback for Guyana as he netted a field goal nine minutes later.
He then completed the score line five minutes later through another field goal conversion. Due to the draw, both sides walked away with a point each. Guyana will now oppose Panama tomorrow at 10:00am (Guyana time) before facing off with the top seeded Brazilians on Tuesday October 6th from 1:00pm (Guyana time).
The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-final round on Friday with the grand finale slated for Sunday.
This international outdoor event is the first for the Guyanese men in eight years. Their last competitive outdoor showing occurred in the 2007 Caribbean Cup and ALBA Games where they won bronze and silver medals respectively.
Due to Guyana’s inactivity over the period, it no longer holds a world or Pan American ranking and will have to compete alongside the teams not ranked in the top six within the region in the Pan American Challenge to qualify for the 2017 Pan American Cup in the United States of America.
