FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida – Two of the very best defensive teams in Concacaf at present will meet with a 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup group stage berth at stake, as Guatemala take on Guadeloupe in the Second Round of the 2021 Gold Cup Prelims on Tuesday at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Guatemala arrive into the encounter fresh off a scintillating 4-0 win over Guyana in the First Round of the Prelims in which their defense once again rose to the occasion.
In their last nine official matches in Concacaf play, spanning four matches in the 2019-20 Concacaf Nations League, four matches in Concacaf World Cup Qualifying for Qatar 2022 and Saturday night’s Prelims fixture, Guatemala have scored 43 goals and have conceded none.
Such a strong defensive record will have the Chapines feeling confident going into Tuesday’s contest, but Guadeloupe will certainly be no pushover.
Les Gwada Boys also showed their defensive prowess in their First Round Prelims win over Bahamas in a 2-0 final. On top of allowing just two goals in their four CNL matches, Guadeloupe have delivered defensive performances of late that rank among the best in the region.
Stheven Robles was in top form for Guatemala in the win over Guyana, serving as a vacuum cleaner in midfield, while also delivering the shot that led to the own goal opener. Aiding the cause up top as well is Luis Martinez, who followed up his two-goal performance in CWCQ with another score against the Golden Jaguars.
The Guadeloupe attack will look to the likes of Raphael Mirval to lead the way. Mirval had seven goals to top all players in League C of the CNL and also scored the second Guadeloupe goal against Bahamas.
Game Notes, Guatemala vs Guadeloupe
