Golden Jaguars resume training with eye on Gold Cup qualification

Last year it could be said that the Golden jaguars broke even in their Concacaf Nations League campaign.

In four matches last season the Golden Jaguars won two and lost two.

Coach Jamaal Shabazz’s Golden Jaguars will look to better last year’s performances when the Concacaf nations League competition resumes in a few months’ time.

Yesterday, under the watchful eyes of Shabazz and Wayne `Wiggy’ Dover, the  Golden Jaguars senior men’s team  resumed training at the National Training Centre, Providence ahead of the March restart of League B of the 2022/2023 Concacaf Nations League.

Head coach Jamaal Shabazz makes a point to members of the Golden Jaguars local contingent yesterday.

The tournament serves as a direct qualifier for the 2023 Gold Cup for the group winner, with the runner-up advancing the Gold Cup Preliminary Round.

At the moment, the Guyanese sport a record of two wins and as many losses and sit in second place on six points in group-B.

Haiti, on 10 points, lead the group with Bermuda, third on four points and Montserrat, on three points, occupying the cellar position.

Guyana in their previous Nations League engagements, defeated Montserrat and Bermuda by 2-1 scores but suffered defeats to Haiti in consecutive matches, 2-6, and 0-6.

The team commenced its League ‘B’ campaign in the CONCACAF Nations League against Montserrat at the Felix Sanchez Olympic Stadium, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Tactical discussion! Head coach Jamaal Shabazz and assistant Wayne Dover discussing aspects of a training session

On June 4 and won 2-1 thanks to goals from star striker Omari Glasgow in the 61st and 71st minute.

The fixture was the first ever competitive meeting between the nations and the Guyana line up featured some 10 overseas-born players.

Montserrat had taken the lead and led 1-0 at half time through a goal from Adrian Clifton in the 21st minute.

On June 7th, through goals from Trayon Bobb and Glasgow in the 35th and 45+2 minute, the Golden Jaguars defeated Bermuda 2-1.

Bermuda’s goal was scored by Dante Leverock in the 42nd minute.

The Golden Jaguars had their hopes dashed in their next encounter which they lost 2-6 to Haiti, some four days later.

What made the situation worse was the fact that the Golden Jaguars were playing at home, at the Providence National Stadium.

Haiti’s goal scorers were Dany Jean, 4th minute, Steeven Saba, 9th minute, Carnejy Antoine, 38th minute, Derrick Etienne Jnr., 41st and 43rd minute and Fredier Christophe, 80th minute.

The Golden Jaguars goal scorers were Emery Welshman and Daniel Moriah Welsh in the 11th and 44th minute respectively.

As expected, the Golden Jaguars fared much worse in the return encounter played at the Estadio Olimpico Felix Sanchez, Santo Domingo, losing 0-6.

Haiti’s goal scorers were Alex Christian, 39th minute, Mondy Prunier, 48th and 76th minute, Friborg Simonsen, 63rd minute and Antoine, 87th and 89th minute.

Guyana will travel to third place Bermuda (4 points) on March 25th before concluding their campaign against cellar occupant Montserrat (3 points) three days later at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora.

They will need to win both of their matches and hope that group leader Haiti, who sit on 10 points, suffer unlikely defeats to secure automatic qualification.

This is the second season of the Concacaf Nations League competition which involves the respective national teams of the 41 member associations of Concacaf.

The United States are the defending champions.