Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
Mar 08, 2015 Sports
By Santokie Nagulendran
The announcement that St Lucia will travel to Guyana to play an International friendly on March 22nd, Guyana’s first home match in almost three years, has excited Golden Jaguar fans in particular, as the tie will not only allow Guyanese fans to see their team, but will also allow the side to right the wrongs of last year.
St Lucia’s 2-0 victory over Guyana last October in 2014 Caribbean Cup qualifiers was the island’s first victory over Guyana since 1995, and led to the team qualifying for the next round whilst Guyana crashed out. However, mention the result to most Guyana fans and they feel the match was not a true reflection of the Golden Jaguars, and that the tie coming up in a few weeks will be a more competitive contest.
Whereas the Guyana squad in 2014 was inexperienced and contained only one player (Walter Moore) who had played consistently in International football, the ‘’re-birth’’ of the Golden Jaguars under the Normalisation Committee now leading the GFF has meant that the team is now much stronger, with seasoned veteran Christopher Nurse leading the team once again. In February’s 2-2 draw with Barbados, the Golden Jags showed their talent by storming into a 2-0 lead, and despite eventually drawing 2-2, the team showed a lot of promise, it was a fantastic result for a squad which was generally lacking match fitness. The addition of young, talented players has also benefited the team, with Trayon Bobb, Vurlon Mills and Colin Nelson all returning to the side after two years of inactivity by the previous administration running Guyanese football. Striker Emery Welshman impressed on his National debut, scoring against Barbados and showing glimpses of what is to come from him. Fellow striker Pernell Schultz also featured and is one such player who many expect to gain a transfer to Europe in the future, such is his talent.
Currently ranked 140th in the world, 26 places higher than Guyana, St Lucia will be optimistic of gaining another victory over the Golden Jaguars however, due to their victory over the team a few months ago. Strikers Cliff Valcin and Zaccheus Polius were their top-scorers in 2014 Caribbean cup qualifiers, and will be the main threats to Guyana, whilst midfielder Tremain Paul and striker Eden Charles are both regulars in the T&T Pro League for W Connection. 2014 saw St Lucia play friendlies against Jamaica and Dominica, as well as win the 2014 Windward Islands Tournament, so the victory over Guyana was down to the side gaining crucial match practice, something which Guyana lacked.
Guyana’s situation has been helped by the recent news that Jamaal Shabazz will serve as Head Coach of the National Team for a minimum of two more years. This is a massive boost, as he is one of the best coaches in the region and his long-term appointment is one that can only benefit the Golden Jaguars. The game also takes place during FIFA’s International Window, which means players based overseas can feature in the game, such as defender Walter Moore and it will therefore be very interesting to see if any new names will feature when the squad is announced next week.
Virtually all of the players in the current Golden Jaguars squad are playing only their second international game in almost three years, so as with the Barbados game, there shouldn’t be an expectation for the side to win: this game is a development process aiming to help the side as they start 2018 World Cup qualifiers in June. Yet beyond that, there is a grudge to settle, the Golden Jaguars want to redeem their name against St Lucia and that will add intensity to their preparations. This is a contest that will be captivating.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
Mar 28, 2024
Minister Ramson challenge athletes to better last year’s performance By Rawle Toney Kaieteur Sports – Guyana’s 23-member contingent for the CARIFTA Games in Grenada is set to depart the...B.V. Police Station Kaieteur News – The Beterverwagting Police Station, East Coast Demerara (ECD) will be reconstructed... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – In the face of escalating global environmental challenges, water scarcity and... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]