In a disappointing turn of events, Dominica hosted its home match against Guyana in the CONCACAF 2023 Road to W Gold Cup, falling prey to a resolute performance by the Lady Jags, who secured a commanding 9-0 victory at the Dr Ir Franklin Essed Stadium in Suriname on Wednesday night.
The first half proved to be a challenging ordeal for Dominica as they conceded five goals. Otesha Charles of Guyana set the tone early, opening the scoreline in the 4th minute with a goal from open play.
Despite Dominica’s efforts to equalize, a crucial attempt by Britney Dennis in the 14th minute was skillfully intercepted at the goal line by Guyana’s goalkeeper, Chante’ Sandiford. Guyana continued to dominate, with Shanice Alferd (19′), Brianne Desa (28′), Stefani Kouzas (34′), and Annalisa Vincent (38′) all finding the back of the net.
The second half witnessed a change in Dominica’s goalkeeping, with Celia Gregoire making way for Dymond Daniel, who made her tournament debut. Prior to the substitution, Gregoire showcased her prowess with four saves.
Despite the change, Anya Tribune scored for Dominica in the 61st minute. However, Guyana’s Otesha Charles stole the spotlight with a hat-trick, securing goals in the 74th and 79th minutes.
Dominica’s midfielder Sari Finn, based overseas, took a shot at redemption in the 79th minute, only to have her attempt thwarted by Guyana’s goalkeeper Anessa O’Brien. Annalisa Vincent further solidified Guyana’s lead with her second goal in the 88th minute.
The defeat leaves Dominica in the fourth position on the points table, while Guyana maintains its stronghold at the top with an impressive 12 points.
Despite the setback, Dominica’s lead goal scorer in the qualifiers, Starr Humphreys, managed to secure two goals. The team’s focus now shifts to their upcoming match against Suriname on Sunday, December 3, marking the culmination of their campaign for the 2024 Concacaf Women’s Gold Cup.
As Dominica reflects on missed opportunities and strategizes for the future, the road ahead remains challenging, emphasizing the competitive nature of Concacaf’s elite women’s football.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
