Guyana’s Concacaf Nations League qualifying campaign got off to a positive start on Thursday 6 September, as goals from Trayon Bobb and Neil Danns helped the Golden Jaguars secure a 2-2 draw against Barbados in front of a sizable crowd at the National Track and Field Centre in Leonora.
It was a performance that pleased head coach Michael Johnson, who was impressed with his side’s work-ethic and ability to create chances against a good side.
“It was a great achievement for us,” Johnson told GFF Online.
“It was really important for us to get points on the board. The performance was pleasing and we created plenty of chances. Everyone put in a good shift and did themselves proud. The players had to take a lot of information in building up to the game in a very short period of time, but they took it all on board and produced a positive performance. We had four one-on-ones, so on another day, two or three of those go in and we come away with all three points. From a personal perspective, I was really proud to manage my first international game – it’s a memory that will live with me forever.”
With the head coach only having a limited amount of time to work with his players before the campaign curtain-raiser, Johnson was delighted with how the Golden Jaguars trained and responded to his methods.
“The players have had to take a lot of new ideas on board and get used to new staff members, but they’ve reacted in all the right ways,” he said.
“We’re collecting data and using new technology that some of the players haven’t used before. When you also consider that we’re trying to implement methods that many of them aren’t used to, it makes the performance against Barbados all the more pleasing. Especially in the first half – we had plenty of joy going forward against a very good team.”
A well-earned point may already be on the board, but focus now turns to Guyana’s visit to Turks and Caicos on Saturday 13 October. Following an 11-0 defeat to Cuba in their opening qualifying fixture, Johnson is expecting a reaction from Matthew Barnes’ men.
“This game will be totally different,” added Johnson.
“There will be more of an expectation on us to go out and win, but there are no easy games in international football. They’ve just been hammered, so we’re facing a wounded animal in many ways. I imagine that their manager has had a few words to say and they’ll be fired up to put things right. It will be a very different test but I’m confident our players can rise to the occasion.”
The future looks bright for Johnson and his evolving Guyana side, but the former defender was quick to appreciate the importance of having positive support behind the squad as they embark upon an ambitious journey.
“Having positive support behind us – not just from football fans but from Guyana as a whole – is vital for us,” he said.
“We’ve got a long journey ahead of us and plenty of long-term ambitions we want to achieve. Qualifying for the Gold Cup is our main priority, but we also want to break into the FIFA top 100. They’re tough asks but we believe they are achievable.
“Football in Guyana hasn’t really taken off in recent decades, but we hope its popularity can increase and we can use that positivity to drive us forward. What we’re doing requires a collective, team effort – and we’re really excited to see what the future holds.”
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