GOLD CUP: Golden Jaguars arrive in Ohio for crucial Panama clash

Guyana’s Golden Jaguars held their first training session in Ohio after arriving there Wednesday, via a chartered flight with Miami Air, following their debut at the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup on Tuesday night against the USA at the Allianz Field, St. Paul, Minnesota, going down 0-4.

Thursday afternoon’s session, which was witnessed by Guyana Football Federation President Wayne Forde, took place in rain which fell all day and according to Head Coach Michael Johnson, the recovery session went well with team spirit very high among the lads.

“It was great, it was really good, team spirit was in abundance and we go again on Friday with the final session before we go into the next game against Panama. The weather was very much like England, but it was good and allowed a lot of fun with the water, it allowed us to play the ball at a lot quicker tempo in training; the session as a whole was a success.”

Commenting again on the USA clash, Johnson noted that on a global level the team has been getting many plaudits for the manner in which they played.

“International managers and managers operating in the top leagues in Europe have commented on how well the boys played, particularly for that first hour. So you take great comfort in that knowing that we have made great strides, we looked very organised, we out-passed a very good USA team and if we can get to those levels in our next two games, then we should be okay.”

Friday’s session at the venue for Saturday’s double-header at the FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio, is set for 18:15h. The USA will oppose Trinidad in Saturday’s feature match with Guyana against Panama in the opener, starting 17:30h.