U-17 Footballers winding down preparations for World Cup qualifiers

Jul 14, 2010 Sports

– to play Bartica at GFC Ground from 13:30hrs today

By Franklin Wilson

The National Under-17 footballers ‘Junior Jaguars’ are winding down their preparations ahead of their World Cup qualifying Group C matches against host nation Dominica, Netherlands Antilles and Aruba.

Kaieteur Sport caught up with the team and Technical staff at the Camptown Ground, Campbellville yesterday afternoon and Head Coach Sampson Gilbert noted that he is satisfied with the level of commitment and discipline being shown by the group of 24 players so far.

The final 18 players to travel on Sunday to Dominica will be named tomorrow. The team will have their final practice game against a Bartica side today from 13:30hrs at the GFC Ground.

On Sunday last, the ‘Junior Jaguars’ defeated a GFC Under-20 side 3-0 and Gilbert said he was satisfied with the way his charges performed especially their defensive awareness in that match.

“We {Technical staff} have pointed out some green areas from the GFC game and we intend to put in a better performance against the Bartica side today at GFC. We will be aiming to create more scoring opportunities and bury our chances and have our midfield coming forward much more.”

But generally, Gilbert says the players have all been responding very well to the training they have been undergoing despite the challenges that have faced with the rain and conditions of the grounds. “We have had sessions on building tactical awareness and sharpening the technical abilities of the players. The area of fitness has also been worked on and things have been advancing very well to date. I expect these players to do us proud in Dominica.”

Guyana will play the host country, Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles with the winner of the group advancing to the Second stage to be hosted in Jamaica which will feature Haiti along with the winner of Group D.

Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba and Trinidad and Tobago are the seeded teams and have drawn the bye to the second stage. Trinidad and Tobago will host the other group in stage two featuring Cuba and the winners of groups A and B.

Group A to be played from July 27-31 brings together host Cayman Islands, Bahamas, Bermuda and the Dominican Republic.

Antigua & Barbuda will host fellow Group B teams St. Kitts & Nevis, Anguilla and St Martin while Barbados will entertain Grenada, St. Vincent & the Grenadines and Suriname in Group D play. Groups C, D&B will all be played from July 20-24.