3/1 To Win
Derby County Club Ambassador Michael Johnson achieved history overnight as his Guyana international side sealed CONCACAF Gold Cup qualification for the very first time.
Johnson achieved three victories out of four to ensure the Golden Jaguars created history for the country and qualified for the Gold Cup, which will be held in Costa Rica, America and a Caribbean country later this year.
Prior to last night’s game, they had beaten Barbados 3-0 and Turks and Caicos Islands 8-0 to set up a tense clash against Belize for a chance to qualify - and they rose to the occasion with a 2-1 victory.
They took the lead early in the game from the penalty spot, before being pegged back midway through the first half. Guyana had a great chance to go back into the lead as they were awarded a second penalty kick just after the half hour mark, however, this time it was missed.
With just minutes of the first half remaining, they would manage to score what turned out to be the winning goal and that secured their place in the Gold Cup, alongside the best teams in the CONCACAF.
Johnson, who landed the managerial role in June 2018, was understandably delighted with his achievements.
“I feel absolutely ecstatic for the country itself; it means everything to this country,” he told dcfc.co.uk. “To be able to deliver that and create inspirational stories for the children who can now look up to stars on one of the main platforms in world football, the Gold Cup, is something I’m delighted about.
“We are also bringing in finance for the organisation that can help develop infrastructure of grassroots football and I’m delighted for the players themselves to have the opportunity to play on the big stage and to maybe earn contracts on the back of it.
“Not many people know about Guyana as a country but for it to be talked about alongside the likes of Canada, America and Mexico is fantastic.
“For the first time since around 2011, the stadium was full. We had over 5,000 people so they turned out in their droves. Usually Guyana is a cricketing country so for us to do it is brilliant. I’ve seen so many people wearing jerseys out in force this morning.
“The radio and television are all about football and now I can see kids playing football on the streets, so it’s really galvanised the country. To be able to deliver that is something I will never forget. I really believed this was destiny and that this is Guyana’s time - and this is just the start.”
Johnson’s achievements have made the footballing world sit up and take note.
“It has taken global reach,” he admitted. “Some of the people that have reached out are incredible. Youri Djorkaeff, Chris Smalling, Sven Goran-Eriksson, Gilberto Silva - I could go on with the names that have reached out.
“For names of that ilk to reach out, that shows what we have achieved is making noises not just in Guyana, but across the world. Guyana is now on the football map and that wasn’t so before.”
And the former Rams defender, who served the club between 2003 and 2008, could not have done it without the support of Derby County, a club he holds closest to his heart.
“The backroom staff have given me some of the analytical work, Derby have helped me out with kit and equipment,” he said. “Stephen Pearce as Chief Executive has always encouraged me and said if there is anything I need then to just let him know.
“Without Mel Morris, this wouldn’t have happened. He is the one I work for full time and for him to allow me the time to come out and do this is fantastic. The staff have all supported me and I could go on.
“The main one I want to say thank you to is the fans. They messaged me in their droves last night asking for links to watch the game. I had hundreds of Derby County fans excited to watch because of my connection with the football club.
“I’m proud to say as a Derby County Ambassador that I value every single one of those fans who reached out to me and sent their good wishes this morning.”
