Guyana retain 100% record in Digicel Cup with win over Dominican Republic

2Slick

Tuesday, November 28, 2006 – GCC Bourda, Guyana: Guyana played in their final Group H game in front of their cheering home crowd support of up to 4,000 which turned out to be a fond farewell as they prepare for the Digicel Caribbean Cup Finals in Trinidad in January.

As the only unbeaten side in the Digicel cup to date, Guyana decided to give a first cap to lost son and son of former West Indies captain great and famous cricketer Clive Lloyd.

With only 4 minutes gone Guyana were unfortunate not to be 2 up. With Nigel Coddrington in his usual terrorizing form the Dominican Republic did all they could do to try and keep the home side goalless.

Despite total dominance Guyana needed to be always wary of the Dominican Republic on the break as in Darly Batista they had a pacey forward capable of hurting the home side on a quick break. Indeed as a result of one of these quick breaks which resulted in a Dominican corner kick, central defender Felix Mejia was denied by a quite wonderful one handed save by Clive Lloyd Junior.

Indeed it took all 6 foot 6 inches frame of the big keeper to deny Mejia an opener as the Antiguan central defender met the corner kick beautifully and from the moment the ball left his head it seemed destined to hit the back of the net. Unfortunately for the underdogs, Lloyd playing in front of the stand named after his father produced a memorable save on his debut.

That may have been a sign for Mejia as 5 minutes before time he went from being the likely hero to the definite villain when he picked up his second yellow card for a rash challenge on Shawn Bishop resulting in his inevitable dismissal.

The loss of Mejia was a big body blow for the Dom Rep as he had been pivotal in safeguarding their goal, and sure enough on the stroke of half time Gregory Richardson finally broke the deadlock for Guyana.

After a beautifully flighted right wing cross from the tireless Leslie Holligan, Richardson arrived on the back post to smash home a volley from inside the 6 yard box.

We were only 5 minutes into the second half and Guyana had doubled their lead. Carey Harris made a decisive run and cross from the right and Randolph Jerome was perfectly placed in the centre of the six yard box to make no mistake with a diving header past Baez.

It was all Guyana from here on and after Richardson saw his effort rebound off the Dom Rep post on 52 minutes Leslie Holligan was equally unlucky not to get on the scoresheet 2 minutes after that when keeper Baez touched his effort over the bar.

On 57 minutes it was 3 to Guyana courtesy of Nigel Coddrington from the penalty spot. The Guyanese predator was allowed to add to his tally when birthday boy and team captain for the day Kayode McKinnon was taken down in the area by Dominican Freddy Medina.

One wondered just how many Guyana might get in this one sided game as they peppered BaezÂ’s goal with shot after shot.

On 64 minutes the incredible occurred when the talented Coddrington somehow blasted the ball over the bar from 2 yards out in front of an empty net.

Guyana were not to be deprived of a fourth goal however for their large celebrant home crowd when on 80 minutes substitute Collie Hercules rose at the front post from a corner kick by McKinnon to head to the roof of the Dominican net.

Guyana now go into the Digicel Caribbean Cup finals as the only side, bar Trinidad who automatically qualified as hosts, to remain unbeaten in the tournament.

With that proud record, Guyana have placed themselves as serious contenders for the coveted Digicel Caribbean Cup.

Guyana: Clive Lloyd, Carey Harris, Howard Lowe, John Rodrigues, Walter Moore, Leslie Holligan, Gregory Richardson (Collie Hercules 58Â’), Shawn Bishop (Anthony Abrams 58Â’), Kayode Mckinnon, Nigel Coddrington, Randolph Jerome (Konata Mannings 58Â’)

Dominican Republic: Miguel Baez, Franklin Vasquez, Felix Mejia, Freddy Medina, Flavio Taveras, Kervin DeJesus, Robert Miliano (Leandro Garcia 67Â’), Darly Batista, Yan Carlos Berroa, Italo Acevedo, Pablo Ceballo

http://www.digicelfootball.com/en/news.php?id=126