… Guyana, Trinidad play to entertaining 1-1 result

GOLDEN Jaguars head coach, Jamaal Shabazz, is calling his side’s 1-1 result against Trinidad and Tobago, a “statement performance” and one which he says will put the rest of the Caribbean on notice.

It was an entertaining contest in Port-of-Spain, when Guyana and the Soca Warriors collided at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, much to the delight of the almost 10 000 spectators.
The usual rivalry between the two sides on the pitch was further fuelled by the two countries’ political differences, making Tuesday’s encounter even more meaningful.

There was a lot of chatter between Shabazz and Soca Warriors coach Angus Eve, with the two men taking their TT Pro-League banter onto the national side.
The Golden Jaguars, opening their tour with a 5-0 win over Barbados, entered the clash against Trinidad searching for their first win against the Soca Warriors in Port-of-Spain since 1947.

Trinidad, on the other hand, toppled the Tridents 9-0 last Friday.
Shabazz started with Akel Clarke between the uprights, while Leo Lovell, Quincy Adams, Jeremy Garrett and Samuel Cox stood resolute in defence.

Omari Glasgow, the 18-year-old who was recently picked up by Chicago Fire FC, started up front, while Daniel Wilson (captain), Neil Danns and Trayon Bobb hugged the middle.
Bournemouth FC’s Nathan Moriah-Welch and Romania-based Tyrell Ondaan worked the wings.

Danns put Golden Jaguars in the lead 57 minutes into the contest when he converted from the penalty spot after Sam Cox was tackled in the ‘box’ by Jesse Williams.

However, Levi Garcia, who was earlier denied an equaliser by Clarke, would go on to score the game-winning header from a corner ball, just seconds before the end of the match.

Shabazz, after the match, said he was “very impressed with the way our guys kept their discipline. It’s not easy to get Caribbean people to play with that discipline and that tenacity.”

The Golden Jaguars will look to utilise the remaining FIFA International window, as they endeavour to frame the right composition ahead of the CONCACAF Nations League.