– Golden Jaguars fall 1 – 2 in Cayenne in CONCACAF Nations League

GUYANA’s hopes of qualifying for the CONCACAF Gold Cup came to a crashing end following their 2 – 1 defeat to French Guiana last evening in Cayenne.

Playing in their third game of the CONCACAF Nations League, Guyana went into the contest needing a win after opening with a 2 – 2 draw against Barbados and an 8 – 0 win over Turks and Caicos.

A win against the French-speaking South American country would have put Coach Michael Johnson’s side into the CONCACAF flagship tournament for the first time in the country’s history, but, faith and a bit of luck was not on the Guyanese side.

Johnson started with Kai McKenzie-Lyle in goal, Terence Vancooten, Walter Moore, Kevin Layne, Colin Nelson, Elliot Bonds, Neil Danns (captain), Daniel Wilson, Sheldon Holder, Trayon Bobb and Kadell Daniel.

Jules Haabo who netted both of his country’s goals, got his first in the 15th minute; a scoreline which remained until the opening play of the second half when he collected a long ball and challenged Nelson in the defence, before clinically placing his effort just out of reach for the advancing McKenzie-Lyle.

Danns tried his utmost to keep Guyana in the game, as the Bury FC star midfield player netted in the 60th minute from just inside the six yards area.

Stephen Duke-McKenna who was sensational during his limited time on the pitch, Emery Welshman and Marcel Barrington replaced Nelson, Holder and Wilson in the second half but despite their efforts, the Guyanese were kept at bay by a composed French Guiana unit.

The result will see Guyana dropping to 15th on the 34-team standing and out of the Gold Cup contention, while French Guiana climbed to 11th to keep their hopes alive.

The top 10 will qualify for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup, while the top six will qualify for CONCACAF Nations League A alongside the United States, Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago, Costa Rica, Panama and Honduras. Teams placed 7th to 22nd will compete in CONCACAF Nations League B.

Guyana will play their final Nations League qualifier game on March 23rd, 2019 at home against Belize.