Guyana U-17 Women’s World Cup hopes fade after Panama defeat

Guyana’s Under-17 women’s football team is facing elimination from the 2025 Concacaf Women’s U17 Championship after a 3-2 defeat to Panama.

Guyana lost its second match in the group stage, played at the Estadio Félix Sánchez in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Panama started strongly, scoring twice in the opening seven minutes. Shaday Mow continued her goal-scoring form, finding the net in the second minute, followed by Isabella Rendino five minutes later.

Guyana responded quickly, with Avril Pasvolsky pulling a goal back in the 12th minute.

Despite their early setback, Guyana fought hard for an equaliser.

However, Panama extended their lead in the 73rd minute.

A late goal from Veronica Chatta in the 83rd minute gave Guyana hope, but they were unable to find an equaliser.

This defeat follows a 2-1 loss to Cuba in Guyana’s opening game. With two losses, Guyana’s chances of progressing to the next round are slim.

They will play their final group match against the Turks and Caicos Islands, but their tournament hopes are all but over.

Six group winners and the two best second-placed teams from the first round of qualifiers will advance to the final round.

There, they will join four top-ranked Concacaf teams: Canada, Haiti, Mexico, and the USA.

The final round, scheduled for March 31 to April 6, 2025, will see teams compete in three groups of four.