Guyana Secures 3-1 Win Over Belize in FIFA World Cup CONCACAF Qualifiers

Guyana ran out 3-1 winners against Belize at the Wildey Turf, Bridgetown on Tuesday evening in their second fixture in Group D of the Second Round, FIFA World Cup CONCACAF Qualifiers.

A five-minute goal frenzy in the second half won the game for the Guyanese as their centre forward Deon Moore opened his international account with a brace either side of Liam Gordon’s sumptuous solo effort from full-back. Belize’s Carlos Bernardez struck a late consolation in the 88th minute.

Belize flew out the traps in the opening minutes of the game when a long ball forward to their pacey forward Bernardez set him through on goal but his progress was halted by the offside flag.

The Guyanese back-line subsequently dropped deeper to combat the counter-attacking surges of the Belizean attack and from that moment onwards they dominated proceedings, registering 69% possession and nine shots but only two managed to hit the target. Goalkeeper Woodrow West was alive to the danger on the occasions he was called on and was helped by some wayward finishing.

In the second half the one-way traffic continued as Guyana looked to unpick the Belizean defence with crosses into the box. The deadlock was finally broken in the 65th minute after a bit of magic from wide playmaker Omari Glasgow allowed him to beat his man on the left flank and give Moore the chance to score a tap-in from close range.

The 25 year old striker’s second goal of the night was a decadent back heel flick past the despairing dive of West in the 71st minute to wrap up the victory of Guyana. Shadow striker Nathan Moriah Welsh whipped in an awkward cross from the right side of the penalty box but Moore adjusted brilliantly to register his second goal for Guyana in his fourth appearance.

It was Liam Gordon’’s show-stopping run that got the paltry crowd of approximately 60 people off their feet. The 25-year-old left-back, who is currently on the books of English League Two side Walsall Football Club, collected the ball on the left flank. Once in possession, Gordon ball rolled past three Belizean players, shimmed around another and then ball rolled past one more before slotting the ball home into the bottom right corner, much to the delight of the Guyanese bench who joined in on the celebrations.

Substitute Osaze De Rosario could have added to Belize’s misery with a fourth goal when he sat the keeper in the 90th minute but could only sky the opportunity when composure was needed.

Carlos Bernardez’ efforts up front were rewarded late on when he headed in a cross from Jahryl Smith to bring up Belize’s first goal in the Group phase.

This victory for Guyana leaves them third in the group on three points and ended a run of three successive defeats with their previous victory coming against Cambodia earlier this year on March 26.

Belize have now lost two games on the trot, falling to a 4-0 defeat against Nicaragua on June 8.

In the 3 pm kick off yesterday at the Wildey Turf, St Lucia fought back from 2-0 down to gain a point against Aruba as goals from Ridel Stanislas and Peter Pearson cancelled out Walter Bennett and Isai Marselia’s efforts in the first half. (JC)