'Golden Jaguars' face St. Lucia in opener today

‘Golden Jaguars’ face St. Lucia in opener today

Oct 13, 2010 Sports

– Suriname oppose Netherlands Antilles

By Franklin Wilson in Suriname compliments of Digicel
The ‘Golden Jaguars’ are set and ready to go all the way in 2010 edition of the Caribbean’s biggest football tournament, the Digicel Caribbean Cup when Group C action kicks off at the Andre Kamperveen Stadium this evening.
Guyana will open the group when they come up against St. Lucia with host country Suriname engaging the Netherlands Antilles in the feature game.

The final touches being put in place by the Technical staff of the Golden Jaguars at the Andre Kamperveen Stadium yesterday afternoon. Assistant Coach Collie ‘Hitman’ Hercules (left) observes Devon Millington and Dwight Peters as Head Coach Wayne ‘Wiggy’ Dover (4th left) pays keen attention.

After arriving in Suriname overland late on Monday afternoon, the Jaguars held two sessions yesterday, the first being a recovery with last evening’s being a pre-game session at the competition venue.
Head Coach Wayne ‘Wiggy’ Dover who has been at the helm of the Guyana team for over five years in an invited comment said that he is confident that Guyana will go all the way to the Gold Cup this time around, narrowly missing out on qualification in the 2006/2007 championship.
“I am very pleased with the work these guys have put in over the past couple of weeks, they have really stuck to the task of being focused on the task at hand and that is first winning the game against St. Lucia and then moving on to win the group.”
The session entailed the players going through drills that dealt with team organization, shooting, set plays and penalty kicks to prepare them for today’s opening match up.
A number of overseas based players including former Captain Charles ‘Lily’ Pollard have been drafted into the line-up to ensure Guyana go all the way.
The others are Walter Moore and Shawn Beveney based in Trinidad and Tobago as is Pollard. Sean Cameron, Chris Bourne and Jake Newton; the trio campaigning in England and they have all represented the Golden Arrowhead before.
They will be teaming up with the local based Jags to lead Guyana’s challenge as they seek to lift the DCC for the first time. Miami based John Rodrigues is expected to join the team today.
Captain Howard Lowe, who was at the helm of the team when Guyana won its first senior tournament ever, the Suriname Independence Cup last October, said he was quite happy with the make up of the team and was also happy to welcome back fellow defender Charles Pollard, the two were known as the ‘Twin Towers’ when they played for North East Stars in the T&T Pro League under Coach Jimmy Mc Lean.
“It is very good to have Pollard back with us, we have played together for many years and we understand each other, but more important, we are here to do a job for our country and that we will do to the best of our ability and make our nation proud.”
“The mood and the vibes are good and we are all focused on doing a well for Guyana, first against St. Lucia and then the Netherlands Antilles and Suriname.”
The last time old rivals Guyana and Suriname met, the former prevailed by a 1-0 margin and will be seeking to maintain that edge in this year’s DCC.
Devon Millington who was Guyana’s successful striker in the Independence Cup when a young team played, will partner Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams in the hunt for goals against St. Lucia.
Abrams is no stranger to Suriname as he played club football here for many years and was a prolific striker. He will hope to replicate those performances against players he played with and against during his time here.
Controlling the game from the back line will be Captain Lowe, Pollard and the UK based pair of Chris Bourne (left) and Jake Newton (right). Bourne has been looking very good in the training sessions and has shown the aptitude of going forward and creating scoring opportunities quite a lot.
The midfield will be controlled by Walter ‘Boyd’ Moore, Sean Cameron, Shawn Beveney and Dwayne Jacobs. Ronson Williams who copped the best goalkeeper award at the Independence tournament will start between the uprights.
Dozens of Guyanese fans are already here in Suriname to support their countrymen and many more are expected for the other games on Friday and Sunday at the same venue.