Geographically located in South America, Guyana were tipped for big things in the run-up to CONCACAF qualifying for South Africa 2010. After massive improvements in recent years and a huge rise in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, the Guyanese came crashing down to earth with a thud after losing out to surprise package neighbours Suriname.

After a two-year, 14-match unbeaten streak from 2004 to 2006, that saw the side leap over 70 spots up the global ranking, Guyana only just missed out on a place at the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup. As a result, and after getting a bye through the first round of qualifying as one of the top twelve teams, a 3-1 aggregate loss to the Surinamese came as quite a shock.

Clifton Sandvliet scored for Surinam in the first leg and again in the second as the Golden Jaguars' dreams came to sudden and surprisingly early end.