Guyana’s Junior Golden Jaguars delivered a remarkable performance on Thursday evening, securing a 2-2 draw against Costa Rica in the U-17 World Cup Qualifiers at the Costa Rica National Stadium.
The result is a significant achievement, as Guyana- ranked 21st among U-17 FIFA World Cup contenders- went toe-to-toe with the sixth-ranked Costa Rican side on their home turf.
The Junior Jaguars found themselves trailing just moments after kick-off when an unfortunate own goal in the first minute gave Costa Rica an early lead.
The battle was intense between Guyana (green) and Costa Rica
However, the team showed resilience and determination, responding in the 34th minute through a well-placed header from Joshua Morris to bring the score level.
Shaquan David then equalised what was a 1-2 score in the 54th minute with a decisive strike, capping off a strong attacking display.
Guyana remained composed to see out the draw and extend their unbeaten streak in the CONCACAF U-17 qualifiers.
With this result, Guyana continues to push forward in its bid for a spot in the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
Their next challenge will be against British Virgin Islands on Sunday (February 16) as they look to build on this momentum and deliver a strong finish in the tournament.
Refleting on the game, Head Coach Marco Bonofiglio noted: “The team performed as we all wanted under extreme pressure and against the home top ranked Concacaf side. Guyana should be proud as a country who can compete against top teams at the top level. Thank you all for your continued support.”
Meanwhile President of the GFF, Wayne Forde remarked: “Last night was a proud and historic moment for Guyana and the GFF, as our boys showcased the strength, resilience, and unwavering spirit of our entire nation. With courage, tenacity, and determination, they overcame an early setback to deliver one of the most memorable performances in our football history.”
He added, “I proudly join all of Guyana in congratulating Coach Marco, our dedicated technical team, and our inspirational young heroes for making believers out of us all. Their relentless pursuit of excellence keeps the dream of FIFA U-17 World Cup.”
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