– Guyana to host Jamaica on Monday

SHELDON Holder scored the lone goal of the Guyana versus Aruba clash last evening in Curacao, as the Golden Jaguars opened their CONCACAF Nations League campaign by securing three points.

Playing in Group C of League B, Holder put the Guyanese men in the lead in the 22nd minute when he received a nice past from his Morvant Caledonia United Kelsey Benjamin and easily slot his right-footed shot out of Aruba’s Molvin James’ reach.

Newly appointed coach, Brazilian Márcio Máximo started with Akel Clarke in goal, while Samuel Cox, Kevin Layne, Matthew Briggs and Liam Gordon marshalled the defence.

Keanu Marsh-Brown, Neil Danns, Clive Nobrega and Daniel Wilson were placed in the midfield, and Holder and Benjamin paired upfront.

Coach Máximo’s starting 11 behind Briggs and Cox especially, kept Aruba attackers at bay, but in the attacking third, Guyana didn’t make good use of their countless opportunities.

At half time, France-base forward Terrell Ondaan replaced Holder, as Máximo kept his feet on a gas, hunting more goals.

The Golden Jaguars coach then replaced Benjamin with Guyana Defence Force (GDF) forward Delwin Fraser and Neil Danns made way for Pernell Schultz.

Aruba came close to scoring from a freekick, but, just when it seemed like the ball was making its way into the goal, Clarke went into ‘superman mode’ – full stretch to deny the Arubans.

Despite finishing with a win, Guyana will sit in second place in Group C, since Jamaica earned a 2 – 0 win over Antigua and Barbuda in their opening game.

The Golden Jaguars will return to Guyana today to prepare for their clash against the ‘Reggae Boyz’ on Monday (September 9), from 19.00 hrs at the National Track and Field Centre in Leonora.