… Guyana keep World Cup dream alive

IT was a must-win game for Guyana and it took Terrence Vancooten (8), Kadell Daniel (54), Omari Glasgow (75) and Emery Welshman (81), to hand the Golden Jaguars a life-saving 4-0 win over The Bahamas in the Dominican Republic.
The Golden Jaguars were out for the second time in Group F of the CONCACAF qualifiers, and following their 0-3 defeat to Trinidad and Tobago, coach Marcio Maximo was optimistic of a victory to keep his team’s Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup dreams alive.
Former Liverpool goalkeeper Kai McKenzie-Lyle, who now suits up for Cambridge United, made his return to international football for the first time since 2018 due to injury.

McKenzie-Lyle was Maximo’s lone change from the team that faced Trinidad and Tobago, replacing Akel Clarke.
Former Colchester United defender Miguel Scarlett was in the right-back position, Terrence Vancooten and Matthew Briggs were the centre-backs, and Kadell Daniel in the left-back position. Captain Sam Cox paired with Daniel Wilson as Maximo’s centre-midfielders, while Callum Harriott (left) and Trayon Bobb (right) flanked the wings. Keanu Marsh-Brown and Israel-based forward Emery Welshman worked up-front. At the halfway mark against The Bahamas, Maximo’s men had a 2-0 cushion, as they continued the hunt for goals at the Estadio Panamericano. Maximo injected more pace in the game, bringing in 17-year-old wonder boy Omari Glasgow for Harriott in the 70th minute and it took the Fruta Conquerors forward just five minutes to score his first international goal in his second outing.

Bournemouth FC’s Nathan Moriah-Welsh had his first taste of international football, replacing Trayon Bobb in the 78th minute. Marsh-Brown made way for Pernell Schultz (70), Jobe Caesar came in for Wilson and Nicolai Andrews, another debutant, came on for Scarlett.
Guyana did not just need the victory, but also a win-margin to keep their hopes alive of advancing to the next stage of the qualifier, since as per CONCACAF rules, only one team will advance. Golden Jaguars, with today’s victory, are in third place with three points behind Trinidad and Tobago (four points) and table-leaders St Kitts and Nevis (six points). Puerto Rico with their draw against Trinidad are on one point. Each team would have played two games so far, with only St Kitts claiming full points.
Guyana will next face St Kitts and Nevis and Puerto Rico in the up-coming FIFA match windows.
The players are expected to return to Guyana today.