FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida – Guadeloupe defeated Guyana 2-0 on Tuesday afternoon at the DRV PNK Stadium to progress to the Gold Cup Group Stage.
Les Gwada Boys controlled the match early, and, shortly after a 15th minute lightning delay, got on the scoreboard first. Anthony Baron’s cross pinballed around off multiple Guyanese defenders and found its way into the back of the net in the 18th minute. Liam Gordon was charged with the hard-luck own goal.
Guadeloupe would not let up, and Guyana GK Kai McKenzie-Lyle was called into action several more times in the first half, while the Golden Jaguars largely struggled to create chances. As was the case in their first match, Les Gwada Boys’ defensive unit was tough to crack.
The lead was doubled in the 57th minute when Andreaw Gravillon curled in a free kick from close to 30 yards out, over the wall and past McKenzie-Lyle. The strike was perhaps the finest goal of the tournament so far.
Nursing a 2-0 lead, Guadeloupe really placed a stranglehold on the game. They dominated possession and conceded no clear-cut chances in the second half. Guyana, unable to break through, tried their luck several times from long range during the final 10 minutes, but Guadeloupe GK Davy Rouyard comfortably parried all efforts, and Guadeloupe would see out the rest of the match for a second consecutive clean sheet to start the tournament.
They will join Group D alongside Canada, Guatemala, and Cuba. This will be the fifth appearance in the group stage for Les Gwada Boys, and their second consecutive appearance. Their best finish at the Gold Cup to date was a run to the semifinals in 2007.
