Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
Oct 29, 2010 Sports
By Franklin Wilson in Mexico
Compliments of Bakewell, Fazia’s Collection,
GT&T and Crown Mining Supplies
Guyana’s History making ‘Lady Jags’ will make their debut at the penultimate stage of the World Cup Qualifying competition (CONCACAF Gold Cup Finals) when they face home team Mexico in the feature game of today’s double header.
While the home team is expected to be backed by a very hostile and vociferous crowd, the ‘Lady Jags’ coming up against a team that has made it to this level on 6 occasions and a runner-up place in 1998, will not be phased or intimidated.
They arrived in Mexico on Tuesday around midday and have been getting used to the conditions in Mexico. Technical Director Mark Rodrigues said that they have progressing very nicely in training.
“The players are looking forward to the challenge today against Mexico and the technical staff is addressing the fact that we are coming up against the home team in front of what is anticipated to be a very boisterous crowd. At our class room session today we will address this.”
The Guyanese players who have created quite an impact in the run up to this stage intend to do their best and despite a few of their main players not being able to make this competition due to College commitments, those here are confident of doing well.
Guyana recorded wins over St. Vincent & the Grenadines (1-0), Suriname (2-0), St. Lucia (8-0), Barbados (3-0), Cuba 3-2 on aggregate in their home and away clash; Cuba won 1-0 at home but the ‘Lady Jags’ roared to a convincing 3-1 win at home. Their only loss coming at the hands of the experienced Trinidad and Tobago team 3-0 in T&T.
The starting line-up and system for today’s match have already been determined by the Technical Director who noted that a number of players have stepped up in the training sessions and earned spots with a few pleasant surprises from the new players.
“Expectations as always will be high and acknowledging that we are significantly the underdogs is understood. Being the underdog is nothing new to the Lady Jags, but the stage this round is significantly bigger.” Missing from the ‘Lady Jags’ roster are the solid and energetic first-choice goalkeeper Tenyka Francique, first choice center back Daria Owen, defender Nikkita Persaud whose no nonsense approach to the game has won many fans and midfielder Shondell Archer.
Captain Ashley Rodrigues who has expressed confidence in her teammates excelling yet again will team up with fellow forward Alison Heydorn in hunt of more goals in this round. The two have accounted for 9 of Guyana’s 16 goals in the qualifying campaign.
With Francique who plays for Gannon University in Canada out, Ronette Cort will take on the duties of goalkeeper and before she left Guyana for the camp in Florida, said she was looking forward to doing well for Guyana. Defender Collette Hope who has also represented Guyana at Rugby will also be an integral part of Guyana’s line up along with Britany Persaud.
The experienced Mexicans who won Pan American Gold in 2003 after taking the silver medal in 1999, have a mixture of youth and experience in their team with Maribel Dominguez, who has played in Spain since 2005, the most experienced member of the squad.
Some of the others who are expected to make an impact for the Mexicans are striker Veronica Perez, defenders Alina Garciamendez and Natalie Garcia from the U.S. women’s college ranks, both of whom started all four games for Mexico at the recently concluded Under-20 Women’s World Cup.
The first game today will see CAC silver medalists Trinidad and Tobago with previous appearances at six tournaments taking on champions of the 1998 edition Canada.
The Canadians have appeared at this competition on seven previous occasions and have also made 4 World Cup appearances (1994, 1998, 2002, 2006).
Meanwhile, Adriana Venegas scored in the 51st minute to lead Costa Rica to a 1-0 victory over Central American rival Guatemala in the opening game of the competition last evening. The USA took on Haiti in the feature game.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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