IT WAS certainly not the type of start coach Wayne Dover wanted, but in their opening game of the CONCACAF U-20 Championship, yesterday, Guyana went down 4-0 to Guatemala.
The scoreline doesn’t truly reflect how much the Guyanese men were overwhelmed by a sturdy Guatemalan side who led 1-0 at halftime at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, USA.

Prior to Guatemala’s Rudy Barrientos goal in the 45th minute, Guyana custodian Johnathan Vaughn pulled off some crucial saves following several relentless attacks by the Central Americans.

At one point, Guatemala enjoyed 90% of the ball possession, while Guyana failed to make a proper run on goal.
Dover started with Vaughn in goal, along with Cecil Jackman, Lionel Holder, Kwai Marsh-Brown, Bevan Baker, Ryan Dowding, Jalen Case, Ryan Hackett, Kelsey Benjamin, Job Caesar and Thair Britton, but the Guyanese lads seemed comfortable staying back and defending, while the Guatemalans were having a field-day.

So poor were the Guyanese, that Britton’s shot in the 20th minute from approximately 35 yards from goal was the only attempt for the men from South America.
Guyana will be hoping for a better showing against Cayman Islands on November 6, as they face Curacao on November 8 before closing off their group stage against El Salvador on November 10.