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Nov 07, 2018 Sports
By Franklin Wilson in Florida, USA
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Secure Innovation & Concepts and Fitness Express
Assistant Coach of the Guyana team here at the Concacaf Under-20 Championship USA 2018, which has attracted all 34 Member Associations of the Confederation, O’Neil Heywood is of the view that the team played a much better game than their opener but the desired result still remains elusive.
Heywood was speaking with Kaieteur Sport following the team’s close 2-3 loss to Cayman Islands yesterday, the first time that Guyana has ever lost to their opponents at any level. He noted that his charges had the freedom to be much more aggressive in the attacking third.
In reflecting on the lack of fight being shown at times by some players, O’Neil proffered the view that the lack of competition for the positions on the team could be one of the reasons for this.
”I think that the players themselves have got it too easy so the competitiveness that we expect to be there is not there; so there is where I think the lapse is coming from. A player knowing his position is secured so there is a tendency not to push hard but this should not be the case.”
In looking forward to the two remaining matches against Curacao tomorrow and El Salvador on Saturday, Coach Heywood stated that they have to ensure the players recover well from yesterday’s clash which would entail an ice bath as well as a field session to work on the tactical preparation.
Meanwhile, Team Manager Daniel Thomas in an invited comment said that they players give a more spirited performance with more effort being shown which were reflected in the goals that were scored.
However, he was disappointed that they were not able to secure the victory. He said that he would like to see a number of measures being put in place going forward to ensure that players are held accountable for the game.
”We need to, at the club level especially ensure that there is more accountability in terms of player development; what is good locally may not necessarily be anything at this level and I think this is one of the challenges that has been plaguing Guyana’s football for too long.
We tend to see players as being good locally but then we don’t match them against what’s out there and most times when we come out to tournament of this nature, we expect them to operate like the Messi’s and Ronaldo’s and you find that they just cannot cope.”
Thomas posited that the game is demanding mentally and physically and if you do not have players that can think on their feet and in the game you will struggle.
”You need players who will play for team and not for I and this is another area that we have to focus on. I was chatting with a physiologist who came with the team from St. Vincent & the Grenadines and it is maxing, the direction some of the Caribbean MAs are heading with regards to help the players and their development. So it’s food for thought going forward for the GFF.”
Thomas noted that the federation needs to be a bit more proactive in assessing players and work with those who are committed.
”You don’t want to pick a player based strictly on talent because talent alone would not make it at this level. You have to come with the right attitude, you must be prepared to come as a team person and be disciplined.”
The Manager said he is looking forward to the team rising above the two losses and aim to do better in the two remaining matches.
”Maybe come up with two victories to show what Guyana’s football is all about, but it’s going to take a lot of self-examination and more team work and I hope that from a managerial perspective, the players can do Guyana proud.”
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