GUYANA’S STARTING LINEUP VS TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO_CFU Women’s Challenge Series
CFU Women’s Challenge Series Concludes
“LADY JAGS” PLAY TO A 3 – 1 MATCH AGAINST TRINIDAD
– Head Coach Says Team Is Further Along In The Process
– President Forde Offers Words of Support To The Team
30th April, 2018, Port-Of-Spain: Mariam El-Masri was the lone goal scorer for Guyana as the “Lady Jags went down to host, Trinidad and Tobago, by a 3-1 margin in the final match of the CFU Women’s Challenge Series held on April 29 at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Trinidad.
The youthful team, however, was competitive against a team, which defeated its previous competitors, Suriname (8-0) and Grenada (7-1).
The match saw Trinidad taking the lead in the 12th minute, compliments of Shenika Paul. However, Guyana equalized when El-Masri netted in the 64th minute. The match proceeded with goal scoring opportunities afforded to each side but it was Trinidad who took the lead in the second half with a goal from Karyn Forbes in the 75 minute, followed by another when Jonelle Coto scored in the 88 minute.
In post-match comments, Head Coach Dr. Ivan Joseph said the team, captained by Brittany Persaud, gave a good account of themselves and he’s pleased with the progress made: “Trinidad was clearly the class of the tournament… we responded well in the match. If you look at that match, I don’t think we were outplayed. Trinidad and Tobago definitely had the better chances but, for 75% of that game, it was a 1 – 1 game. Unfortunately, our youth and experience had shown through but I really do think our young ladies came to play and they had a lot of heart and determination and although we didn’t get the results we wanted, we are further along in the process and that’s really the important piece here.”
Sasha James No.20 During The Guyana-Trinidad Match_CFU Women’s Challenge Series
Dr. Joseph provided some of his highlights of the match: “I thought Sasha (James) did an outstanding job, a very physical player, really stuck in, really shut down one of their key players and you can see the frustration in there. I thought Mariam (El-Masri) came to play. In defense of her, she had a 30-hour flight and a 12-hour time-zone change. It looked like she finally settled in and really performed really well. I thought she was the best player on the pitch today for both teams and I thought as each of the 15 and 16-year old debutantes keep going, each and every game they played better. You saw Nailah (Rowe), you saw Jessica (Myers) and Rylee (Traicoff), you also saw Jade (Vyfhuis); the future is bright for them.”
Meanwhile, following the conclusion of the match, President Wayne Forde sent words of support to the team. The message, in part, read: “You have done exceedingly well throughout this tournament and I am proud of you. I am joined by the rest of Guyana to say a heartfelt congratulations. Enjoy every previous second of this moment with your new family. The exciting journey we will take together, has only just begun. A young girl in some corner of Guyana, Canada, USA and beyond will be inspired by what you lovely ladies have accomplished, and that is priceless and matters most!”
The “Lady Jags” ended the match with 10 team members following a red card given to El-Masri in the 84th minute of the match.
“Lady Jags” With Momento Received For Participation In The CFU Women’s Challenge Series. PHOTO CREDIT: CA-images
Guyana finished third in the series behind Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname and received a momento in the post-series presentation held at the match venue.
The “Lady Jags” starting lineup was as follows:
Aneesa O’ Brien – 01 – (GK), Brittany Persaud – 09 – Cap, Rylee Traicoff (23), Nailah Rowe (04), Jade Vyfhuis (06), Mariam El-Masri (10), Calaigh Copland (11), Lakeisha Pearson (13), Tiandi Smith (16), Jessica Myers (17) and Sasha James (20).
For more information, please contact:
Debra Francis (Ms.)
Communications and Public Relations Officer