Jaguars devour Warriors 2-1 to progress
CHANTS of ‘Jaguars!’ filled the Guyana National Stadium as the unflinching support from the home crowd created the perfect environment  for the 2–1 win over the visiting side Soca Warriors last night in the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers. A historic moment it was at the regulation time whistle for the Golden Jags who emerged victors of Group B in round two.
They now join USA and Costa Rica in Group A of the third round and also await either Ecuador or Suriname who are currently seeking qualification.
In the opening minutes of the first half Guyana immediately showed superiority in play and were rewarded soon after for their consistency and discipline. Probably a goal of retribution for Ricky Shakes, who drew first blood for Guyana against the team he once represented.
Shakes’ goal was developed from a corner kick which found him at the top of the 18-yard box in the 10th minute. It was a terrific air ball which never landed until it rocketed past T&T’s goalkeeper Mark Phillips and found the back of the net.
Jaguars continued to apply pressure on the Warriors and should have gone ahead by at least two more goals but striker Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson, who seemed to have had an off-night, failed to capitalise on his opportunities.
T&T had several free kicks in threatening places just outside Guyana’s 18-yard box but nothing that gave the defenders any sort of trouble.
Guyana’s Charles ‘Lily’ Pollard put forth a man-of-the-match performance in the defensive line as he shut down the opposition’s prime scorers Kenwyne Jones, Lester Peltier and Chris Burchill. He was supported by Leon Cort, the belligerent Walter Moore and Jake Newton.
In the midfield for Guyana were Shakes, Alianna Mounter and Dwain Jacobs who all got good passes to the striking pair of Chan and Carl Cort.
Throughout the matchup Guyana were gifted corner kicks following blocked shots on the opposition’s goal or being guarded against while T&T received numerous free kicks just outside the 18 yards.
The first half ended with Guyana firm in control and still ahead by just one goal. At the resumption Guyana made a progressive substitution as Verlon Mills came in for Chan.
It was then an evenly poised battle in the ball possession and opportunities but Warriors’ defence began to wither and this gave the Jaguars an opportunity to pounce on them.
Guyana’s lead was extended in the 81st   minute when Leon Cort received a ball from midfield during one of their counterattack runs. Cort only had Phillips to beat between the uprights and he easily did so with regulation time not far away.
That goal dampened the spirits of the Trinidadians as their body language completely showed that they had given up.
In the second minute of injury and stoppage time T&T received yet another free kick on top of the 18-yard box which was taken by Jones who successfully got it past Guyana’s ’keeper Ronson Williams, who had a terrific match until that goal spoilt his chance of a clean sheet.