Guyanese lose 0-5 to T&T in Hockey World League

TIMES INT'L
Guyana’s right wing, Avonda James, on the attack

In their opening match of the World League, Guyana suffered a 0-5 beating at the hands of Central American and Caribbean champions Trinidad and Tobago on the opening day of the tournament in the National Hockey Centre in Tacarigua, Trinidad.
The Guyanese, sporting their BK International all-white uniforms, had a strong start for the opening ten minutes of the match and seemed to match the Caribbean powerhouse stride for stride in what seemed to be a competitive affair.
However, a penalty corner earning by Trinidad in the 18th minute however, changed the outcome of the game.  A well struck ball by star Trinidadian midfielder Blair Wynne just skimmed the edge of the leg-guard of the outstretched goalkeeper Alysa Xavier to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Trinidad, brimming with confidence, extended their lead to two when Wynne sent home a second in similar fashion, this time past the outstretched stick of post player Ulrica Sutherland.
With a 2-0 deficit at the half, the Guyanese still seemed intent to get on the score sheet but Trinidad was able to quell any budding forays before the Guyanese could get a good shot in the striking circle.
Trinidad would make good on two more penalty corners in the second half by converting one into a rebound goal by Yesenya Luces and the other into a penalty stroke which was converted by Wynne for her third.
Trinidad’s captain Allana Lewis scored their sole run-of-play goal nine minutes from full time when the Guyanese defenders were caught in a momentary lapse in concentration allowing her to penetrate deeply into the circle to slip her flick past Xavier.
Despite the 5-0 defeat, head coach Philip Fernandes indicated that the team had their best showing against Trinidad in recent times.  Fernandes indicated that although the score was overwhelming in favour of Trinidad, their set-pieces accounted for four of the five.
He noted that the team needed to do a better job defending the penalty corners if they are to be successful in the tournament as they defended well in open play.
In other results, Canada thrashed Venezuela 12-0, while in the third match of the day, Uruguay dished out an 8-0 whipping to Barbados.

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