HAMILTON, Bermuda, (CMC) – Guyana’s head coach Jamaal Shabazz has praised goalkeeper Ronson Williams for a superb display that earned his side a share of the points in a 1-1 draw in a CONCACAF World Cup qualifier on Tuesday night, which ended the hosts’ hopes of advancing in their drive to reach the 2014 finals in Brazil. Williams pulled off three vital saves, including two deep into injury time to deny Nahki Wells and John Barry Nusum as the home side pressed for a late winner.
The goalkeeper also made a smart save to deny Reggie Lambe, back in the line-up after serving a one-match suspension, early in the second half as Guyana kept their lead at the top of Group B despite losing their 100 per cent record.
“Our goalkeeper was outstanding tonight, he came up big and generally I thought the finish provided fans with a lot of excitement but a little too much for me,” Shabazz told reporters afterwards.
Shabazz praised Bermuda’s “big heart” and believed a share of the spoils was a fair reflection of the game as his side were showing a growing maturity in their football.
“I thought Bermuda played with a big heart, a lot of patience. I thought the game was played in a good spirit with good aggression and I think the result was a fair one,” he said.
“It was a lot closer than I thought it would be, but we always knew coming in to the game it would be difficult to leave with three points and I think the game proved just that.”
The draw leaves the Golden Jaguars six points ahead of Bermuda whose remaining two matches, a home and away double-header against Barbados, will now be nothing more than an exercise in playing for pride.
Trinidad and Tobago, who play Guyana twice next month, are five points ahead of Bermuda having beaten Barbados 4-0 on Tuesday night, and regardless of the various permutations from those final fixtures, Bermuda can only finish second at best.
Shabazz was also grateful for the calming presence of former Stoke City defender Leon Cort and stand-in skipper Charles Pollard, who took the captain’s armband in the absence of Chris Nurse.
“Cort’s experience and his aerial strength and just his and Charles Pollard’s abilities at the back helped us,” said Shabazz.
“Qualifying is like an egg and spoon race, you have to go, but you can’t go wild because the egg will fall out of the spoon.”