GUYANA, playing in their first Russia 2018 World Cup Qualifier, drew 2-2 with St Vincent and the Grenadines at the Arnos Vale Stadium in Kingstown, thanks to goals from Daniel Wilson and Brandon Beresford on either side of play. Beresford put the Golden Jaguars in the lead in the 26th minute when the young talented midfield player easily placed a well-placed shot past St Vincent custodian Winslow McDowall.
The Jaguars pressed forward, hunting another goal but luck was not on their side as they closed the half holding a 1-0 lead.
However, the home side equalised through their dapper forward Cornelius Stewart, who is well known to Guyana head coach Jamaal Shabazz, given the fact that the Vincentian had played with Caledonia AIA in the TT Pro-League.
The 25-year-old Stewart had troubled Guyana’s defence several times in the first half and finally got past Akel Clarke in the 51st minute to equalise for St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Both sides were guilty of not capitalising on their chances on goal, but Guyana, in the 75th minute through Wilson got the icebreaker.
Wilson, who plays locally with Alpha United lashed on to ‘through ball’ and the 21-year-old forward calmly patted his effort past an outstretched McDowall.
With victory in sight, the Christopher Nurse-captained side were cautious in their play but the defence caved in after pressure from the ‘Vincy Heat’ whose second-half substitute Tevin Slater equalised, just before the end of regulation and full time, ending in a draw.
The result means that Guyana, in their return leg on Sunday, June 14 at the Guyana National Stadium, will only need a goalless or 1-1 result to advance to the next round of qualifiers, thanks to their two crucial away goals.