Stick To The Gameplan: Jeffers Say Players Must Bring Momentum Into Guatemala Clash

By Neto Baptiste

Head coach of the Antigua and Barbuda Men’s Under-20 Football Team, Schyan Jeffers, is hoping that his players can carry the same level of intensity they displayed in the second half of a 3-0 loss to hosts Mexico on Friday into what he says will be a crucial clash with Guatemala in the Concacaf Men’s Under-20 Championships later today.

“We need to take this momentum that we used in the second half against Mexico into the Guatemala game, being solid, being really good defensively, choose the moment wisely in attack and being courageous in attack. I think if we stick to the game plan, we will definitely come out with three points. It’s very important that we get three points against Guatemala if we want to stay in the competition and I think we have a good chance in doing so,” he said.

The young Benna Boys were beaten by a more organized and technically sound Mexico in their Group B clash on Friday with all three goals coming in the first half. Antigua and Barbuda conceded 12th, 22nd and 45+2 with the opening strike coming from the penalty spot. They avoided a much larger defeat with a more composed performance in the second half while goalkeeper, Tegan Gumbs, made several saves.

Jeffers said his players simply did not stick to the gameplan.

“The way how we conceded three goals was very silly, very costly. We tried to keep possession around the back and this is something that we went through. This is something that we spoke about, that we are not taking the risk of doing. We still went ahead and did it and unfortunately, we gave away three silly goals. The second half for me, was very good. I think the players realised what they had to do. We went in the half and we spoke about the things that we told them not to do and how they moved away from the game plan and that’s why we gave up three early goals. The second half, I think the reality set in. So they went out and they stuck to the game plan,” the former national player said.

In the other Group B match contested Friday, Costa Rica defeated Guatemala 1-0. The loss leaves Antigua and Barbuda at the bottom of the standings due to their negative three goal difference.

Following Monday’s clash against Guatemala, Antigua and Barbuda face Costa Rica on July 30th. Monday’s match will start at 4:00 p.m.

Full Squad: Goalkeepers – Gavin Gonsalves, Mekhi Phillip, Tegan Gomes; Defenders – Jordan Francis, Ivan Grant, Joshua Roache, Javaughn Jarvis, Dajari Barthley, Seth Black-Layn, Elijah Whyte, Zidaan Williams; Midfielders – Obediah Browne, Brenden Skilling, Jaiden Wray, Sedique Adams, Blake Phillogene-Bidance, Marco Michael; Center Forwards – Greg Williams, Vaughn Jackson Jr, Conroy Browne, Brandon Stachell.

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