U-20 ladies to take on Honduras tonight

THE Guyana Women’s U-20 National Team take on Honduras in their first game of the 2022 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship today, with head coach Paul DeAbreu reporting that the squad was “working hard” in the Dominican Republic.

The U-20 Lady Jags squad, featuring 15 Canada-based and three Guyana-based players, have been drawn in a group with 2018 champions Mexico, 2012 semi-finalists Panama, and 2015 fourth-placed Honduras.

Guyana are making their second consecutive appearance at the regional championship, having reached the quarter-finals in their first outing at this level in 2020 – just two games shy of qualifying for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

Alongside the top-16 ranked sides in the region, Guyana qualified automatically for this year’s tournament as they are regarded by CONCACAF as the 10th strongest nation in this age and gender group in the Caribbean, and Central and North America.

Today’s match against Honduras kicks off at 16:00hrs. Guyana time and will be streamed live on CONCACAF’S Facebook and YouTube platforms.

“The U-20 Lady Jags made history in 2020, reaching the quarter-finals in their first appearance at this level,” said Guyana Football Federation president Wayne Forde. “We know the whole nation and diaspora will want to tune in and roar for the team today as they seek to emulate and improve on that memorable run.

“On behalf of the GFF and the football community in Guyana, we wish the squad and staff all the best for this important competition,” he continued. “Despite all the challenges that the pandemic has posed in the run-up to this tournament, we know the girls will give it everything they have got, make us all proud and set a shining example for other young women to get involved in football, especially as we prepare to launch the GFF-Blue Water U15 Girls’ Development League.”

Guyana take on Mexico on Monday, February 28 at 19:00hrs and Panama on Wednesday, March 2 at 16:00hrs in iheir remaining group matches, which will also be live-streamed.
The top three teams from each of the four groups will progress to the Round of 16, alongside four additional qualifiers.