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Shabazz thrilled with win

Guyana coach Jamal Shabazz could barely contain his joy after watching his team outplay Bermuda in last night’s FIFA World Cup qualifier at Providence Stadium.The home team never lost their shape throughout the match and with better luck in front of the uprights could’ve prevailed by a wider margin of victory.“These things happen in football,” Shabazz told The Royal Gazette. “but we were fortunate we had other chances and scored.“All- in- all we are happy to get three points for the win. I am happy with my team’s performance. ”Last night’s result enabled the Golden Jaguars to remain on top of Group B with an unblemished 2-0 record to leave Shabazz almost at a lost for words over his team’s impressive start to their World Cup qualifying campaign.“We are at the top of the table and this is a dream start for a country that is really a minnow in football,” he said. “This is definitely a big morale boost for football in Guyana.”Guyana currently top Group B having scored one goal more than nearest rivals Trinidad who are tied on goal difference with their Caribbean rivals.Although Bermuda played in spurts, Shabazz said Devarr Boyles’ team caused a few problems particularly after Khano Smith pulled one back for the visitors in the closing minutes.“I thought in the last 15 minutes Bermuda really came back at us and got a goal,” he said. “There were a lot of anxious moments when they scored.“I thought Bermuda played well ... they came and took the game to us and I think Khano Smith is a tremendous player.”Bermuda striker Nahki Wells, who was denied a scoring opportunity of his own, felt the visitors were unfortunate to come away from the match empty-handed.“I think we were unlucky we did not deserve to lose,” he said.Bermuda paid a heavy price for dropping their guard early in the second half to allow Guyana’s Vurlon Mills to punish them twice with a well-taken brace.“I think in a 15 minute span we lost our composure,” Wells said. “But we definitely deserved at least a point.”Bermuda are currently third in the four-team group with two losses in as many matches.Boyles’ team suffered a 1-0 loss to Trinidad who they face in their next match at the National Sports Centre early next month in their opening World Cup qualifier in Port-of-Spain last Friday.