Latest update May 4th, 2024 12:59 AM
Mar 25, 2021 Sports
It would be a tough game but Guyana is prepared – SMNT Head Coach, Márcio Máximo
By Franklin Wilson in the Dominican Republic, compliments of Secure Innovations & Concepts, Industrial Safety Supplies Inc., Fazia’s Motor Spares and GFF
Kaieteur News – Guyana’s flagship football team, the ‘Golden Jaguars’ will kick off their quest for qualification to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 competition this evening from 19:00hrs against Trinidad and Tobago’s ‘Soca Warriors’ at the Panamericano Stadium here in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
The match is the Twin Island Republic’s home fixture which is being played at this venue owing to challenges faced by the T&T Football Federation as a result of the covid-19 pandemic. All the nations in the Concacaf region for that matter, have been affected in some way shape or form by the pandemic and as a result, 11 nations have opted to play matches here in the Dominican Republic.
Guyana’s Senior Men’s National Team (SMNT) Head Coach Márcio Máximo in acknowledging that this evening’s clash would be a tough one for Guyana also noted that the team arrived here one week ago and would have made use of every minute to get his charges prepared, physically, tactically, technically and physiologically for the two matches they’ll be playing here.
He noted that himself and Technical staff are very pleased with the level of commitment being shown by the players and the interest being shown to grow as individuals and as a team.
Included in the Guyanese 23-man squad are four teenagers, thirteen of the players are under the age of 23 with Goalkeeper Akel Clarke being the only player over 30 years old.
First timers in the squad are 17 year-old Omari Glasgow, 18 year-old Goalkeeper Shawn Adonis,19 year-old Nicholai Andrews and 22 year-old Jobe Caesar, all local based along with the English based trio of 19 year-old Nathan Moriah-Welsh, 20 year-old Bayli Spencer-Adams and 21 year-old Miguel Scarlett.
Seasoned campaigners in Captain Sam Cox, Clarke, Matthew Briggs, Kadell Daniel, Terrence Vancooten, Daniel Wilson, Callum ‘The Pit Bull’ Harriott, Keanu Marsh-Brown, Trayon Bobb and Emery Welshman will be marshalling the still fledgling Pernel Schultz, Jeremy Garrett, Kai McKenzie Lyle, Nicholas Mc Arthur, Kelsey Benjamin, Ryan ‘Bum Bum’ Hackett along with the first timers in building a cohesive and unbeatable unit.
Máximo also noted that the team is in a transition phase but will maintain the competitive level whilst acknowledging that their opponents have experienced players that play at a good level.
“But for us, this is motivation and presents the opportunity for us to bring some surprises to the game. We have trained intensive, the players gave maximum effort to understand what we are doing and to fit into it. Their level of discipline has been good too, given the challenges faced by covid-19 and having to be in the hotel and to the training grounds, this is tremendous by them.”
The new players he said have been accepted very well by the experienced players and they are blending into a team that will make Guyana proud on and off the pitch positing that what is shown on the pitch, reflects what is shown off the pitch.
“Our first focus is against Trinidad and we have our strategy and after, it’s against Bahamas next week. The two games are very important for us and we hope we take maximum points as possible to continue to fight strong in this qualifying competition.
We are optimistic because we go to the pitch to compete, we represent a new era in football in Guyana and we should have results to consolidate it. Everybody believe we are at another step but we have to prove it every time, that’s why we are very confident and very optimistic that we can start to do it tomorrow (tonight).”
Captain Cox echoed the sentiments of the Head Coach in citing the fact that the training has been intense and the players have all adapted well.
“I must admit that from when we arrived from the 18th we’ve hit the ground running, especially those first couple of days getting acclimatised to the environment; the international boys integrating with the local players was something that seemingly happened easily to be honest.”
Cox also noted that the gelling was as if they hadn’t left having not seen each other in over one year following their last match against Jamaica in the Concacaf Nations League in 2019 which ended 1-1.
“I want to say huge credit to all of the lads who have applied themselves with professionalism, maturity and an open mind to take on the technical and tactical demands of the game. The camp up to now has been highly intensive and the boys have applied themselves really well.
“The connection between all of us has been brilliant so, we’re doing everything we can and we are all looking forward and excited for the game tomorrow (today) which we know will be a tough one as they have been a giant in the Caribbean and the rivalry between us runs rich. We’re going to put our best performance possible to get the three points as we know how important this game is and could be with the implications for the rest of the group.”
Cox made a call for all Guyana to get behind the team and show their support: “We’ll do our best on the pitch to get the result and we’ll go from there.”
Gratitude was extended to the President and Executive of the GFF for the vision being shown; Technical Director Ian Greenwood also came in for praise from Máximo for implementing the junior training programmes (Academy Training Centres) which have produced these young and exciting players.
“My regards also for all my staff and assistants, Wilson Toledo and Charles Pollard as well as the Manager who have been working very hard every day. They do invisible work which many do not see. Coach De Vieira, my Physios, Equipment Manager and everyone else connected even back in Guyana.”
Guyana’s Group ‘F’ action commenced yesterday at the Panamericano Stadium where Saint Kitts and Nevis took on Puerto Rico.
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