A FAIR RESULT.
That’s what both camps thought of the 2-2 score between Barbados and Guyana last Sunday night at the National Stadium.
A new-look home team rallied from two goals down to secure a very impressive draw against more experienced opponents who have enjoyed recent success against Barbados.
Guyana’s coach Jamaal Shabazz said he was satisfied by the result and the performance of both teams.
“I thought the game was a fair result for a young Barbados team and a Guyana team that’s regrouping and getting our show on the road. It is a good enough result for us to start somewhere,” he said.
“I think the cup still has some water in it and I think the future is bright. You can see the quality.”
Despite his degree of satisfaction, Shabazz said there were some obvious areas of concern.
Guyana played at high intensity for just over half an hour, and the coach listed a lack of fitness and an inability to stay consistent and carry through to the end as areas that needed work.
Shabazz said one of the reasons for the inconsistent performance was that Guyana currently had no domestic league or competition because of infighting in the administration.
“We died, with no football going on in Guyana on a regular basis over the last two years,” he said.
Captain Christopher Nurse, who has Barbadian roots, credited his players for a spirited effort and said there were a lot of positives that the team could build on as they prepare for their 2018 World Cup qualifier against St Vincent and the Grenadines in June.
Nurse who plays professionally in the United States, added that his team lacked focus and was rocked by a very good goal by young midfielder Jomo Harris.
“There was a lack of concentration, the game switched off and so did the body,” he said.
“It [Harris’ goal] was very good finish and that gave Barbados the momentum and the game pretty much evened up for the rest of it.”
Barbados’ Brazilian-born technical director Marcos Falopa credited the Football Association for organising a game with “quality opponents”, especially after Guyana’s fine 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Falopa said the result was positive and gave Barbados football hope but added that preparation was of utmost importance.
“We lost a bit of control because they play for the first time, but this is normal,” he said of his young squad.
Barbados will be embarking on their 2018 “road to Russia” campaign in a couple of weeks against the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) and Falopa believes the team can overcome any obstacle with the support of relevant institutions.
“We need support; we have to play more games with our national teams. [We need] more sponsors and organisations for our programmes.
“[It’s] very important that we need support from the clubs – send the players to training for the national team because we play for the nation Barbados.
“If Barbados does well it will be good for the clubs and everyone,” he said.