After drawing 1-1 against Barbados and beating Trinidad and Tobago 1-0 on the opening day of competition, Guyana was positioned in the top spot going into the penultimate day of the tri-nation women’s hockey series being held at the Sir Garfield Sobers Sports Complex at Wildey.
With Trinidad having defeated Barbados by 1-0 in the first round, Guyana knew that the ladies from the land of the Hummingbird would be eager to exact revenge on their earlier duel against Guyana.
Guyana’s second round match played against Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday (June 30), started on unsteady ground for the Guyanese as early unforced errors resulted in a Trinidad field goal by striker Brianna Gouvia just four minutes into the match.
With the Guyanese still struggling to compose themselves, Trinidad grabbed their second goal in the 25th minute by Felicia King from a penalty corner and a third in the 27th minute by Britney Hingh.
The second half of the game saw a different team Guyana. The players seemed more organised with better spells of possession and improved defensive structure.
In the 49th minute Guyana executed a swift right side attack that found striker Princessa Wilkie who was able to eliminate the final Trinidadian defender and secure a goal for Guyana. The final score however would reflect a 3-1 victory for Trinidad.
This game marked the 50th International Cap for former team captain Trisha Woodroffe.
Guyana then entered their final match in the blistering Sunday morning heat against hosts Barbados with whom they drew 1-1 in the opening round.
Team Guyana seemed more relaxed and confident as the game began with accurate passes, better ball control and a solid defensive structure. The game was a very physical one and the teams were evenly matched with some amount of frustration showing in both sides.
In the 40th minute of play a penalty stroke was awarded to Guyana due to a careless desperation tackle by the Bajans full back in the scoring circle. Former national captain Trisha Woodroffe stepped up to the challenge and sent a hard, flat, push to the left side of the goal beating the Bajan keeper and putting Guyana at a 1-0 advantage.
The Bajans fought to the end and, with seconds remaining, secured a penalty corner against Guyana. Barbados would save themselves from defeat as the goalmouth scramble that ensued saw the ball squeeze past eventual goal keeper of the tournament, Alysa Xavier, ending the game at a 1-1 draw.
The full results of the series are: Guyana vs Barbados 1-1, Trinidad vs Guyana 0-1, Trinidad vs Barbados 1-0, Guyana vs Trinidad 1-3, Barbados vs Guyana 1-1 and Barbados vs Trinidad 0-0.
Trinidad finished in the top spot of the series followed by Guyana with Barbados third. The teams will face each other again in the pool round of the CAC games which is scheduled for July 20 – August 3. Guyana opens the games with its first match on July 20 against Trinidad followed by its match against Jamaica on 22nd then Barbados on 24th. Other teams in the competition are hosts and newcomers, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic and Mexico.