After the surprise defeat of Guatemala 3-2 against Guyana in the first game of the preliminary phase of the Gold Cup 2025coach Luis Fernando Tena gave his face and analyzed the performance of the team, recognizing the mistakes but trusting that the blue and white can revert the score in the return.
The match began with surprises from the first minutes, when Guyana took the advantage with a goal that evidenced defensive problems in Guatemala. Despite the disadvantage, the blue and white managed to react quickly with an annotation that returned hope. However, the Chapina defense continued to show serious neglect, allowing the local team to expand the score.
Guyana knew how to manage her advantage to the final whistle. With this result, the blue and white is obliged to win the second leg at home for at least one goal to directly qualify for the Gold Cup.
“We knew that Guyana was going to be a very complicated rival. We had already played with them a few months ago and that time we were more accurate. It is a very orderly, very solid team, difficult to penetrate. We made two goals as a visitor and that is important. We know that in our house, with the impulse of our people, we can turn it around
The Mexican strategist acknowledged that Guyana was superior in several sections of the party, taking advantage of the speed and lack of defensive order of Guatemala.
“It was better Guyana, especially in the counterattacks. For wanting to go for the result, we left many spaces behind. We did not find the spaces to play and find depth. It is a very solid team and with very strong players. We knew that the game would be like that, but fortunately it was only a goal of difference and we managed to score twice
Despite the defeat, Tena emphasized that the team fought until the end and trusts that the story will be different in the lap.
“We have to be very offensive, but always starting from order. The support of our fans will be very important and vital. I am not worried about the result, because we have to turn it. Our team will play much better in our home
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The coach also highlighted the attitude of the players, ensuring that they left everything on the court. “Today our team played with determination, they left everything on the court before a rival who is strong and tidy. We hurt to lose the game, but not the statistic of being the first time Guyana beats us. The important thing is that the tie is still open and it depends on us to reverse the situation,”he commented.
For the second leg, Tena made it clear that the key will be in the attack and not making the defensive mistakes that cost expensive in the first leg. “At home we must go looking for the result from the beginning, but without neglecting us. The key will be to find the spaces and in the precision in the last pass. I trust that we will make a much better game”he concluded.
Guatemala will have its revenge next Tuesday, March 25 at the Cementos Progreso Stadium, where you need to win for at least one goal to directly classify the Gold Cup group phase.