…but Technical Director feels  his side is capable of playing better
A large  turn out out at the world famous Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Ground Bourda, to witness Guyana take on St Vincent and the Grenadines where the Lady Jaguars won  again this time by a 1-0 margin yesterday.

Alison Heydorn netted the Jaguars lone goal in the 60th minute and sent the Guyanese atop of Group A in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) leg of the Women’s World Cup Qualifiers.

The win also marked an unbeaten run for Guyana in their group after the ladies in their first match took Suriname apart two goals to nil.

Win play started, the ‘Vincies’ fell back and played a more defensive style football but nevertheless, the lady Jaguars as they are more popularly know, played their usual well rounded game and was able to get some success despite the cluster in the 18 yards box.

Hard working winger Nikkita Persaud continued her mincing ways down the right side of the pitch and certainly forced the St Vincent ladies to come out, allowing a hole inside and using her pace and good timing of the ball, Persaud sent several lobes in the box but the lurking forwards were not able to put them away.

Guyana squandered several easy and certain goal opportunities in the first half of the game.

The scores were drawn nil-all at the close of  the first period and after some harsh words by the coaching staff in the dressing room about their finishing, a more purposeful goal attacks were carried out by the Lady Jaguars.

Persaud continued her gritty game working hard down the right wing, and produced the magical moment of the game when she took airborne ball between two defenders, slipped it between them and sent a left foot shot into the goal area.

Waiting was Heydorn who blasted a left foot valley shot that sailed into the ‘V’ of the goal way out the reach of the St Vincent keeper and it was pandemonium at the GCC ground as the fans all rose to their feet to acknowledge the brilliant goal.

It was Heydorn’s  second goal of the tournament after she and Brittany Persaud saw Guyana past Suriname.

As the games progressed the Guyanese kept squandering their chances which led to Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Technical Director Mark Rodrigues to state that while he’s happy that they have played undefeated and without a goal being scored against them, he was not so impressed with his side’s performance.

Rodrigues statement came after the game where he told the local media that his side is capable of playing better football and will certainly have to do some home work as they await word from the CFU as to where and when their other games in the competition will be play.

“I’m happy that we came here and got the job done, but I’m not happy or impressed with the way we played here today (yesterday).

Our finishing was very poor and I know that these girls can do a bit better. It’s also good to know that since we started this programme last year, no goals were scored against us but still, after looking at today’s game (yesterday) I know that these ladies will have a lot of work ahead of them” said Rodrigues.

Recapping the game, Rodrigues noted that looking at St Vincent against Suriname last week, the Islanders played a more attacking game and his team prior to their clash with them, had set-up systems to work around their style but all that change on the pitch.

“We looked at them last week against Suriname and we were very impressed, but what we didn’t cater for was that they sent like nine players in the box when we attacked and just kicked the ball up the field. They didn’t really play anything threatening but these are the things we have to cater for as we go forward” Rodrigues said.

The Guyana team is made up of players who have excelled at the collegiate and high school levels in the USA and Canada and according to the Canadian based Technical Director, the side needs more time and games together to get the right blend.

Rodrigues was also high in praise for the support shown to the team in particularly His Excellency President Bharrat Jagdeo whom he  said seems very upbeat about the initiative and personally leant his support.

“It was great the support of the fans, sponsors and so on, but we are also very pleased with the support we got from the President and I know that he’s behind us all the way because he was here at our first game and was impressed with the ladies and through his office and the sports ministry, a lot of help was given to the team, so thanks again” said the Technical Director.

Asked what’s next for the team, Rodrigues said that they well “head out first thing this morning  and we’ll regroup soon because every time we have a success, more players, better players are coming forward and increase our pool of players.

Also we have proposed to have a friendly against Jamaica in North America in July but if we have word on when our next set of games will be, things could change”