Guyana, Cuba clash on June 26 & July 3 in home and away tie; 18 shortlisted

Jun 15, 2010 Sports

---

By Franklin Wilson

The dates have now been confirmed; the ‘Lady Jags’ in their quest to become the first Guyanese team (female /male) to ever qualify for the CONCACAF Gold Cup will face off against host Cuba on June 26 with the return fixture set for Guyana on July 3rd in their home and away tie for the 8th and final Gold Cup spot.
These new dates were agreed following a meeting in South Africa between respective delegations from Guyana, Cuba and the Caribbean Football Union, GFF President Colin Klass leading the Guyanese. The original dates the CFU had released were June 18 and July 2nd.
The ‘Lady Jags’ have enjoyed a phenomenal run of form ever since the female programme kicked off in the first half of 2009 and are eager to bring further glory to Guyana. They are two games (180 minutes) away from achieving that aim.
The Technical team led by Technical Director Mark Rodrigues has shortlisted an 18-member squad for this all important pair of matches; retaining the influential Ashley Rodrigues (midfield/striker) as Captain. The latest player added to the squad is striker Shondel Archer.
The other members of the squad are Goalkeepers; Tenyka Francique and Ronnette Cort. Defenders; Daria Owen, Donna Carvalhal, Briana DeSouza, Collette Hope, Justine Rodrigues and Kayla DeSouza. Midfield; Brittany Persaud, Katherine Kobelka, Olivia Gonsalves, Nikkita Persaud and Jordhanna Phillips. Forwards; Mariam El-Masri, Ashlee Savona and Alison Heydorn.
Leading markswoman Alison Heydorn with 5 goals in as many appearances for her country will lead the attack along with her Captain Ashley Rodrigues who has 3 from her 5 matches and El Masri with 2 also from 5 games.
Goalkeeper Tenyka Francique and central defender Daria Owen are also vital components along with all the other players for Guyana. The only blemish in their 8 games to date was the 3-0 loss to host Trinidad and Tobago in their final second-round game on May 14. Guyana had defeated Barbados 3-0 and hammered St. Lucia 8-0 in their other two games.
Their overall performance enabled the ‘Lady Jags’ to qualify for the CAC Games as the best second-placed team in both groups (F&G) thus creating history as the first Guyanese football team to qualify for these games.
Round one which held at the GCC Ground in March, saw Guyana blanking Suriname 2-0 and St. Vincent & the Grenadines 1-0.
Technical Director Mark Rodrigues had informed Kaieteur Sport last week that all the players were competitive and working very hard on their fitness. He expects the ‘Lady Jags’ to be well prepared for the task of defeating the Cubans come June 26 and July 3.
“The Lady Jags have already made Guyana’s football a household name throughout North America, the Caribbean and Central America. It is with great pride that I lead these amazing young ladies and our great country even further in our quest to qualify for the Gold Cup and the World Cup. The excitement and pride that we have created in Guyanese worldwide is unparalleled, and we will strive to continue growing and building this National pride when we take on Cuba in the coming weeks.
We need all Guyanese to get on board and support us on July 3rd and I am appealing once again to corporate Guyana to support us. This is more than just a game of football; this is about the future for kids in Guyana.”
GFF Women’s Programme Director Colin Baker also commented: “I am very excited about the Cuba games. A few weeks ago I mentioned that Stage II held in Trinidad was a defining week for the Lady Jags. We were successful then by qualifying for the Central American and Caribbean Games and this round of Gold Cup qualifying. It is now a very defining game for the Lady Jags. I am very confident that we will overcome Cuba as well and qualify for the CONCACAF Gold Cup finals. I appeal to all Guyana to come out in support of their Lady Jags.”
In their second round matches which were also played in Trinidad in May, Cuba lost to eventual Group winners Haiti 3-0, and were victorious against Puerto Rick 4-3 and Antigua & Barbuda 6-1.
Following the conclusion of stage two qualifying in Trinidad last month, the CFU had stated that the top two teams from the respective groups, Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana, Haiti and Cuba would play each other with the top 3 advancing to the Gold Cup.
That position has since changed with Trinidad and Haiti given two of the three spots, Guyana and Cuba now having to battle for the final spot. The other countries already qualifying for the eight-team Gold Cup and North American sides Canada, Mexico and the United States; Central American qualifiers Costa Rica and Guatemala.

---

---