By Rawle Toney in Houston Texas

Guyana started their Group ‘B’ campaign in the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifier Tournament at the BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston Texas on a losing note, going down 5 – 0 to Canada last evening.Playing in the night’s second game, Ashley Lawrence had a hat-trick of goals for Canada, while Deanne Rose scored the other two.
Guyana came out playing very tight defensively, but, from a cross, Canada’s Christine Sinclair header missed the goal by inches.
Canada was by far more aggressive but Guyana, collectively held up very well defensively. Guyana’s Chante Sandiford pulled off a nice save to deny Desiree Scott’s shot from about 25 yards from goal, just when the Canadians were getting warm.
Rose’s first goal came in the 29th minute when she scored from a header inside the six yards area, climbing high above the Lady Jags defender to net from a Sophie Schmidt cross.
Lawrence quickly made it 2 – 0 and then ten minutes later, Rose broke down the left wing and rushed onto a Schmidt through-ball and nicely placed her effort passed an outstretched Sandiford in goal to make it 3 – 0 Canada.
While Coach Mark Rodrigues ladies held firm defensively, the Canadians with their superior speed and distinct height advantage, controlled the game at both ends of the pitch.
When the second half resumed, Canada scored back-to-back goals, all coming off the cleats of Lawrence.
According to the match statistics the Canadians made 28 attempts on goal, 15 of which were on target. However, for Guyana, it was a completely different story as the Lady Jags failed to get off a shot or even trouble their North American counterparts’ defence.Guyana will next play Trinidad and Tobago on February 14, and then Guatemala two days later.
Earlier in the evening, Kennya Cordner and Tasha St Louis scored a goal each to help the Twin Island Republic overcome Guatemala 2 – 1.

GUAYANA STARTING XI: Chante Sandiford (GK), Alison Heydorn, Briana De Souza, Kayla De Souza, Justine Rodrigues, Ashlee Savona, Ashley Rodrigues (Captain), Otesha Charles, Kailey Leila, Mariam El-Masri and Oliva Gonsalves.
CANADA STARTING XI: Erin McLeod (GK), Allysha Chapman, Kadeisha Buchman, Shelina Zadorsky, Deanne Rose, Diana Matheson, Jossé Belanger, Ashley Lawrence, Desiree Scott, Christine Sinclair (Captain) and Sophie Schmidt.