What do Russia, Israel and Guyana have in common? While Russia and Israel are, to a large extent, geographically based on the Asian continent and the national teams still belong to UEFA, Guyana is not located in North America or the Caribbean, but in the north of South America. Nonetheless, the national team of the Republic, which has a population of only 730,000, has for many decades been measured against counterparties from the CONCACAF zone. So far, the long-term successes have failed, but with the first qualifying for the Gold Cup 2019, the Guyanese national team has finally made history.
On matchday one, one of the biggest underdogs in this tournament conceded an expected 0-4 defeat against fellow US favorites and late Saturday night may well need a mid-size miracle, so the selection of the former British colony of the much-rated Panama team can be dangerous. However, we are questioning such an unlikely scenario and, in spite of lower odds, are more likely to present a tip in favor of the World Cup participant in 2018 in the duel between Guyana and Panama.
Guyana:
In Europe, for some years now, people have been talking about the increase in the power density of all national teams. Even so-called “football dwarfs” are no longer exclusively to declare as cannon fodder. In the North American-Caribbean CONCACAF zone, this view of things is a little different. At this year’s Gold Cup, which will be played for the first time with 16 instead of just twelve, Bermuda, Guyana, Curacao and Martinique have made several of these blatant outsiders into the peloton. However, the self-proclaimed favorites have not experienced any serious problems for the teams that are in the FIFA World Ranking around 170-200. The Gold Cup debutant from Guyana pulled for example against the Americans with 0: 4 the shorter, but was not entirely dissatisfied with the result in the end, especially since in many cases in the run-up to a higher defeat was expected.
It is hardly surprising that the team of 45-year-old Jamaican coach Michael Johnson has no chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, the football exotic from the former British colony has set the goal to gain experience and to increase from game to game. In the second group game against Panama, the number 175 of the world ranking list is aiming for a better result than against the US boys. However, before the encounter between Guyana and Panama, we again forecast that the no-name troupe from the north of South America will get under the wheels. The difference in quality between the two selections is simply too great, and the fact that the Panamanians traditionally maintain a physical style of play could also do the half pros of the “Golden Jaguars” doom. The current constitution and the – despite unbounded anticipation – cracked self-confidence offers after failures against Haiti (1: 3), Bermuda (0: 1) or Suriname (1: 3) also no reason, between Guyana and Panama, the odds for a sensation check.
Personnel could Michael Johnson make one or the other change. It is quite possible, for example, that Terell Ondaan of the Dutch second division club SC Telstar is the most valuable player (€ 350,000 market value) slipping into the starting lineup. Known players are in the squad of Guyaner otherwise no. The core of the team is active in lower classes in England, but gets there only very irregular operating times. There is thus a lack of match practice and experience on an international level.
Panama:
Last year, the Panamanian national team was allowed to participate for the first time in a football World Cup. That the CONCACAF representative ultimately failed in the preliminary round and conceded a total of eleven goals in three games, almost crippled as a minor matter, because alone the two goals against England and Tunisia were already a great success for the debutants.
After the highlight in Russia, however, the shape curve of “Los Canaleros” pointed in the opposite direction. In the run-up to the Gold Cup, the physically strong red-and-white blues were without victory in nine consecutive internationals. In addition to two draws it hailed seven bankruptcies. However, one must credit the Central Americans with the fact that all counterparties were qualitatively better rated during this period. Results like a 1: 1 against Brazil, a 2: 2 against South Korea or a close 1: 2 against Ecuador throw accordingly another picture on the alleged negative series of the “Marea Roja”.
Perhaps the numerous international matches against well-known, good opponents but also helpful to now in the Gold Cup in a modified role, as a favorite to be successful. The start of the tournament went according to plan for the protégés of Julio Dely Valdes. Against the uncomfortable Caribbean selection from Trinidad & Tobago, Panama won 2-0 thanks to goals from Armando Cooper (53) and Yoel Barcenas (69). With this triple has the world ranking 74. the door opened wide towards quarterfinals. If the second success in the second game against Guyana jumps out late on Saturday night, “Los Canaleros” would almost no longer be displaced by one of the first two ranks in the group. We have no great doubts about this, so a tip on the favorites between Guyana and Panama is definitely justified.
PREDICTION: Over 2,5 goals @ 1,41
