GUYANA’s Under-20 Jaguars saved the best for last when they inflicted a 2-1 defeat on old rivals Suriname in their final Group game of the Caribbean Football Union, FIFA Under-20 World Cup Qualifying competition at Victoria Park, Kingstown, St. Vincent & the Grenadines on Sunday afternoon, last. After suffering defeats to Trinidad and Tobago 2-1 and the host nation by a 3-1 margin, the young Guyanese turned up the heat on the Surinamese who had won their previous matches – needling SVG then hammering T&T 3-0.
In a fierce game that saw a total of 5 yellow (4 Suriname, 1 Guyana) and one red card (Jamaal Booker in the 89th minute) issued by the Referee, the Surinamese cantered into the lead in the first half when M. Darson breached Guyana’s defence and goalkeeper in the 18th minute.
It was a lead that the confident Surinamese enjoyed up until the 60th when Jamaal Booker blasted the nets to draw his team level.
Scoring against the run of play added much needed confidence and momentum to the Guyanese offence which increased. They were duly rewarded with a penalty in the 84th minute. Daniel Wilson, who will join the Golden Jaguars for their game against Bolivia tomorrow in Bolivia, made no mistake in converting for Guyana which took the lead 2-1.
Even with the eviction of Jamaal Booker with one minute to go to regulation time, Guyana was able to hold out for a well deserved win.
In the feature game, Trinidad and Tobago defeated the home team St. Vincent &the Grenadines 3-0, all the goals were scored in the first half.