Walsall defender Liam Gordon was named among the starting eleven as Guyana took on Cape Verde in their opening group game of the inaugural FIFA Series.With games taking place in Algeria, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Sri Lanka, the 2024 FIFA Series is an invitational competition that will feature friendly matches between national teams from different confederations.
CAPE VERDE TEAM
Vozinha; Lopes, Logan, Lisandro, Fernandes, Livramento, Jovane, K.Pina, W.Pina, D.Mendes, R.Mendes
Substitutes: Silva; Gomes; Xavier, da Graça, P.Andrade, Pereira, Boaventura, Duarte, E.Andrade, Varela, Fortes, Pires
GUYANA TEAM
Roberts, Moore, Duke, Garrett, Lovell; Gordon, Glasgow, Nelson, Wilson, Kellman; Bonds
Substitutes: Cumberbatch; Ferguson, Jones, Layne, Simmons, Khedoo, Daniel, Hackett, Riych, Adams, Ramsay, Clarke
Enjoying a 92-place advantage in the FIFA rankings, Cape Verde started the game strongly and grabbed an early lead as Fatih Karagümrük striker Ryan Mendez was only too happy to take advantage of some generous defending to slam the ball into the top of the Guyanan goal.
Despite creating the odd opening, the Golden Jaguars never really looked likely to get themselves back into the game, whilst their opponents squandered a few promising chances, Guyana 'keeper Quillan Roberts produced some fine saves to keep the scoreline respectable.
Guyana's attention now turns to next Tuesday's meeting with Cambodia and a meeting with another strong side as they look to gain their first points of the tournament.
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| AT | PRINCE ABDULLAH AL-FAISAL SPORT CITY STADIUM |