Golden Jaguars to battle Soca Warriors on September 26

Aug 29, 2010 Sports

GFF President Colin Klass (centre) is flanked by Kashif Muhammad (left) and Aubrey 'Shanghai' Major at yesterday's press briefing.

Seniors and U-20’s to meet @ National Stadium; Suriname U-17 being worked on

Guyanese Football fans, lovers and followers are in for a great treat come Sunday September 26 when the famous Russel Latapy Coached Trinidad and Tobago Soca Warriors face Guyana’s Golden Jaguars in an International friendly match at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
The day’s happening’s will surely be a treat according to Guyana Football Federation President Colin Klass who also disclosed at yesterday’s press briefing at the GFF Headquarters that the Twin Island’s Under-20 team will also be here to engage their Guyanese counterparts.
There is a possibility, Klass further stated, that there will be an Under-17 match-up between Guyana and Suriname which is being worked on at the moment.
It was reported that the game forms part of Guyana’s preparations for the upcoming Digicel Caribbean Cup and was recommended by GFF Organising Secretary, Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major.
“Based on that, the Kashif & Shanghai Organisation has agreed to come on board and facilitate this process and make it a reality,” Klass stated.
The date and teams (T&T) has already been confirmed Klass reported and according to the GFF Boss, it would assist greatly with the initial preparations of Guyana’s team for the Digicel Cup and also it will give the local Technical Committee an idea of where exactly Guyana is on the senior front and Under-20.
Eight overseas based senior players and one Under-20 have already confirmed that they are available for the September 26 matches including John P. Rodrigues (Miami based) who captained the GFF All Stars to their 1-1 draw with English Club side Cray Wanderers on August 8 in London.
The other players who have already confirmed are Christopher Bourne (London), Fabian Brown (London), Alinani Mounter (London), Howard Newton (New Zealand), Shawn Beveney (Trinidad), Walter Moore (Trinidad) and Brion Baker who is already in Guyana playing with Alpha United in the current Inter Guiana Club Championship.
A number of locally based players will be named shortly by the GFF Technical Committee to commence training for this important assignment.
Klass noted that the eminent matches have come at the right time and is also ideal. “We are hoping that this will transform itself into an annual event. It might be the beginning of a long period where we see a number of different teams coming here. For our football to develop we have to be able to expose our team to high levels of competition and in so doing we will then be able to have the best team so that we all can be proud bearing in mind that 2014 is Brazil.”
Klass also reminded that lots of work needs to be done in a short space of time but as long as all work together, “We will be able to achieve the best for Guyana.”
Like Jamaica playing at the office, Klass declared that the intention is not to lose to Trinidad come September 26. “We intend to do everything possible to ensure that the team is fit and ready, the international players are fit and we are expecting quite a massive event. I think there would be nothing second to this.”
Trinidad and Tobago who lost to Jamaica 1-3 at the Marvin Lee Stadium on August 11 will be at full strength for this battle. “It would be keen competition and this is something that we have been waiting for, for a very long time and it is close to a grudge match. We owe Trinidad something that I promised Latapy that we will deliver in Guyana.”
The last time Guyana and Trinidad clashed it was at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Tunapuna in the Digicel Cup on November 9, 2008, Guyana, after leading 1-0 for most of the game, gave up a late goal which allowed the Twin Island team to draw the game.
The Kashif & Shanghai Organisation will be responsible for the promotion and general organisation of the games and they have committed to kicking off their promotional campaign in about one week’s time.
Director Aubrey Major is encouraging all Guyanese to wear gold to the game on September 26 in support of the Golden Jaguars which will be coached by Wayne ‘Wiggy’ Dover.
The Lady Jags were initially being programmed to play against their Soca counterparts but due to the unavailability of a number of them because of school commitments, that plan had to be shelved.
Admission will be $1000 with children 12 and under admitted free.