CFU Champions’ League Group ‘D’ Qualifying finally kicks off today

Mar 26, 2010 Sports

Guyana Defence Force tackle Suriname’s Walking Boys @ GCC

By Franklin Wilson
Well, the battle lines will be drawn this afternoon at the GCC Ground Bourda when Group D rivalry in Caribbean Football Union Champions League Qualifying finally kicks off.
The group should have seen four teams competing but Dominica’s Bath Estate failed to arrive in Guyana making it a 3-way tie between GDF, Walking Boys and Alpha United.
This afternoon’s first match features the GDF against Suriname’s Walking Boys who are rated as the number-two in their country, from 16:00hrs. Both teams have expressed confidence in going forward conscious of the fact that only two of the three clubs will advance to the second stage.
In the past two days, GDF were added to the Guyana leg being hosted by Alpha after 7 of their players was denied USA Visas to travel to Puerto Rico where they were originally drawn to play against the host club Bayamon FC and Systems 3 of St. Vincent & the Grenadines.
Speaking at a press briefing yesterday hosted at the Office of Empowerment by Odinga Lumumba, Capt. Eon Murray of the GDF stated his delight in his team being placed in Group D and offered gratitude to The CFU and the GFF for their efforts in ensuring their participation despite the challenges.
The focus of the Army he said has not been shifted due to the goings on, rather, it has strengthened their resolve for the battle at hand.
Yesterday, the Army under Technical Director Edson Dos Santos was putting the final touches to their plan of attack for today’s all important game against the Surinamese whose line-up features 8 National players.
Head Coach Marlon Washington speaking with Kaieteur Sport at the GDF ground, disclosed that the game is very important for them {GDF} and Guyana. “We have been working pretty hard over the past two months for this and it is now time for us to execute what has been taught during that time.
We don’t know anything about our opponents but we are confident that the weaponry we possess in our players, we are capable of taking care of the challenge at hand.”
Given the task of heading the strike line are Peter Parks and Delroy Deen both with experience at the National level. The duo will be given support from their midfield which will be led by Captain Warren Gilkes and includes Marlon Benjamin, Kevin Lewis, Eusi Phillips and Shevane Seaforth.
The defence will be marshaled by the experienced Selwyn Isaacs, Ryan Adolph and Ike Garraway with Delon Young standing between the uprights.
The reserves are Stellon David, Kevin Price (GK), Seon Prince, Keon Adams, Telson McKinnon, Shawn Arthur and Keon Joseph.
Washington also noted that fans can look forward to a more compact and composed game from his charges. “We will be more aggressive in the final third since we have done the work necessary to excel in this department. As I said before, the foundation has been laid and it is now up to the players to play as a team and take care of business.”
Head Coach Washington was high in praise for the work done by the Technical Staff which also include Assistant Coach Calvin ‘Flu’ Allen, Physiotherapist Sgt. Abiola Blair, Equipment Manager Derrick Young, Manager Capt. Eon Murray and Assistant Manager Capt. Shem Fung.
Meanwhile, at yesterday’s press conference, Alpha President Odinga Lumumba and Capt. Murray were high in praise for the financial support of the Government of Guyana especially President Bharrat Jagdeo towards this leg of the Qualifying competition.
Lumumba also disclosed that the CFU made a contribution of 2 million dollars. “As regards the support from corporate Guyana, we will be making a detailed statement sometime later.”
While the challenge of travelling to Puerto Rico has been dealt with for this stage of the competition, it was reported that round two and the final round are slated for Puerto Rico which will definitely be a challenge for the Guyana teams.
To avert any further hiccups, the teams have approached CFU to explore the possibility of Guyana hosting rather than travelling to Puerto Rico.
Football fans and lovers are urged to come out and support the Guyanese clubs as they seek to advance further in this competition. Kick off time this afternoon is 16:00hrs at the GCC ground.
Action will continue on Sunday at the same venue and time when Alpha face Walking Boys with the final game bringing together the two local clubs, Alpha and GDF on Tuesday. Admission is $500.

Latest News

CFU Champions’ League Group ‘D’ Qualifying finally kicks off today

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| April, 14th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Beckford brace Slingerz to fourth win on the trot, as Santos topple...

West Indies Women’s World Cup hopes in jeopardy...

GCC, Ogle, East Bank among winners as Demerara...

Unbeaten GCA storm to 2025 title

Tucber Park Cricket Club receives cricket gear...

Young guns flourish at Moo! National Junior’s...

Features/Columnists

Of Silk and Steel

Collaborative Government–Private Sector Action Imperative for a Resilient Trade Future

Rogue cops – only a few around

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

CFU Champions’ League Group ‘D’ Qualifying finally kicks off today

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| April, 14th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]