Latest update January 6th, 2025 4:00 AM
Dover looking forward to Soca Warriors challenge
Golden Jaguars Head Coach Wayne Dover (2nd right) observes some of his charges during a training session in London recently.
– Performance will answer critical questions going forward
By Franklin Wilson
Golden Jaguars Head Coach Wayne ‘Wiggy’ Dover says he is looking forward to the upcoming battle between the ‘Golden Jaguars’ and Trinidad and Tobago’s ‘Soca Warriors’ on Sunday September 26 at the National Stadium.
Also meeting in the supporting game at the same venue will be the Under-20 teams of both countries as they prepare for the Caribbean Football Union’s Under-20 qualifying competition. A 33-man squad has already commenced preparations under Head Coach Gordon Braithwaite.
Speaking with Kaieteur Sport yesterday, Dover, who recently returned from London where he was in charge of GFF All Stars which drew 1-1 with Cray Wanderers in a specially arranged game to observe their 150th Anniversary, said that coming up against a heavyweight like Trinidad is a plus for Guyana.
“We will have to be at our best against the Twin Island Republic, we do not have much time but we will have to work with what we have and play disciplined and as a unit.”
The Soca Warriors have been on the road for some time now playing a number of friendly games as they prepare for the Digicel Caribbean Championship which kicks off next month. The Reggae Boyz and Panama have thrashed the Soca Warriors 3-1 and 3-0 respectively and they will be aiming to salvage some pride against the Guyanese side after two other friendly games against Belize and Antigua & Barbuda.
Dover is however very confident that his ‘Golden Jaguars’ are quite capable of defeating Trinidad. “The last time we met this team we were leading 1-0 but we gave up a late goal which enabled them to draw the game in the Digicel competition in 2008. I am optimistic that we can take care of them come September 26 as long as we play disciplined football.”
Dover and his support staff will have close to 40 players to choose from and it will not be an easy task to arrive at the final 18 or 22 players.
The leading club Coach in Guyana is however satisfied that the Technical Committee of the GFF did a fine job in selecting the cream of the current local crop for trials. “I think that the committee did well and it is now up to the players to prepare themselves mentally and physically ahead of the camp which will commence on the 17th. This is just the start of what will be a long road ahead as we also prepare for the Digicel competition starting next month. We have selected the players we believe will help this programme.”
The former Beacons player also disclosed that the Technical team has already planned an intense programme of training for the short period leading up the T&T clash. “We will be having some intense sessions while encamped for that short period and I expect the players to be very competitive.”
Dover noted that the game will also answer some vital questions ahead of the Digicel competition which will be keen also. Guyana will take on host Suriname, St. Lucia and the Netherlands Antilles in the Dutch speaking country from October 13-17.
A win against Trinidad he said will be very good for the fans since losing the World Cup Qualifier to Suriname (home and away tie) has left a bitter taste in the mouth of the fans.
“We need to win this game on the 26th for the fans that have been very faithful in their support of the Golden Jaguars. We would like to see them out in their thousands to support and rally their team to victory.”
Trinidad and Tobago are ranked 76 in the world with Guyana at 122.
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