By Calvin Chapman
GUYANA’s Under-21 men defeated Brazil 3-2 via penalties yesterday to finish fifth in the 2023 Pan American Hockey Federation (PAHF) junior outdoor hockey championships in Wildey, Barbados.

This year’s competition was the first instance that Guyana came out of a group stage since 1992 and this fifth-place finish is the highest ever placing in the competition for the Golden Arrowhead.

In the match, Guyana took the lead in the second quarter after Shaquon Favorite made no mistake in converting a Penalty Corner (PC) in the 26th minute but Lucas Varela kept the geographical neighbours in it with a Field Goal (FG) equaliser two minutes later.

The Robert Fernandes coached side then found themselves trailing early in the third quarter after Santoro Luiz converted a Penalty Corner (PC) for the Brazilians in the 33rd minute.

However, Guyana fought back and equalised right after in the 34th minute through Warren Williams’ Field Goal (FG)
Guyana’s shotstopper Raoul Whittaker was the hero of the shootout, saving three consecutive penalties while Williams, Oshazay Savory and Skipper Samuel Woodroofe converted for Guyana in the win.

In an invited comment with Chronicle Sport, head coach Robert Fernandes mentioned that,” The win was a great win, especially how the match went, the boys showed character to pull it back and withstand the pressure after Brazil came from behind to lead.”

“I am very pleased with our overall performance in this tournament, it shows that once we are exposed to high level play, we can compete. We have the personnel, the talent and the fitness, we just need a facility and exposure which brings experience.”

Fernandes continued stating that, “Back home we play on grass, much slower, no way to replicate rather than on an artificial surface. With this win, we need to keep the intensity and continue with our junior programme, which has been in full flow even before COVID when the Guyana Hockey Board began preparations for this tournament.”

Meanwhile, Skipper Woodroffe, who scored the third penalty for Guyana, shared that,
“Our team was very inexperienced; it was the first international cap for many of us in this tournament but we kept improving with each game played and this means a lot for us. Our first game was against the USA and we didn’t have any practice matches but we reset after that 3-0 loss and kept working. I am proud of myself and the team.”