LADY Jags head coach, Dr Ivan Joseph, is backing the Guyanese women to bounce back tomorrow, when they face Puerto Rico in their final friendly match.

Guyana’s senior women’s National football team fell 6-1 in their opening match on Wednesday, in what was their first International match in almost three years, when the two sides met at the Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium.

According to Dr Joseph, “When you lose a game 6-1 there are not many changes you can make that will make a difference in that match, but you can expect the same hustle and hopeful fight that we’ll have. The gap is too big to fix in two days, but we’re looking forward to making a difference.”

The Lady Jags head coach was full of praise for his troops, adding “for just coming together, and not having everybody, like most national teams, I like that they were willing to try to play. The goal came with a little bit of hustle and capitalising on their mistake, but still it was that player’s first-ever international goal, and we’re willing and sharing in that celebration.”

Annalisa Vincent, who hails from Region One, scored in the 59th minute for Guyana.

The two-match International Friendly against Puerto Rico serves as a preparation for Guyana ahead of their CONCACAF Women’s Championship Qualifiers.

Guyana have been drawn into Group F of the CONCACAF Women’s Championship qualifiers with Trinidad and Tobago, Nicaragua, Turks and Caicos, and Dominica.

The winner of the group will join the five other qualification group winners and automatic qualifiers Canada and the U.S. at the 2022 CONCACAF W Championship, which acts as the region’s gateway to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.