India predict 2-goal victory margin in tonight’s Int’l Friendly against Guyana

Aug 24, 2011 Sports

---

 

 

 

By Sean Devers
Ranked 37 places below Guyana at 153 on the FIFA Rankings and not known as a Football powerhouse, the Indian Football team clash with Guyana’s ‘Golden Jaguars’ from 19:30hrs at the Guyana National Stadium this evening in a Friendly International as the South Americans continue preparations for their opening World Cup Qualifier against Barbados at Providence on September 2.
Despite their 3-nil loss to Trinidad and Tobago last Sunday, the Indians are predicting a two-goal victory margin against the Golden Jaguars today.

This prediction was made by FIFA Agent Fizal Khan at yesterday’s Press conference at the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) headquarters to launch the International Friendly.
This is the Indian Football team’s second trip to Guyana after losing 3-nil at Bourda 27 years ago when the Guyanese, led by Gordon Braithwaite and Coached by Lennox Arthur, were spearheaded by a double strike from debutant Julian Moe and another from Terrence Archer after a goalless first half.
Back in 1984, the Indians had beaten T&T 3-1 in Port of Spain and while most will be anticipating a Guyana win tonight in their last International Friendly before next month’s World Cup Qualifiers, re-appointed National Head Coach, Trinidadian Jamaal Shabazz said that while India is not known for Football he saw them play in Trinidad on Sunday and feels they will be a formidable opponent.
This is the first major International Friendly here involving a team from outside of CONCACAF for many years and it will be interesting to see what style of play the Indians, Coached by Armando Coolaca, since their Goalkeeper is rated as the best in Asia and should provide a tough test for the Guyanese strikers.
Guyana are in group 2 of the World Cup Qualifiers along with Barbados, T&T and Bermuda and Guyana’s Manager Mark Xavier revealed that the team has been undergoing an intense training regimen as they prepare to face Barbados and then Bermuda four days later on September 6 in back-to-back games at Providence.
“This friendly will allow us to gauge where we are now and move towards where we need to be and we are delighted to have Jamaal back with us since he is a very capable Coach.”
Shabazz resigned as Technical Director at the end of Guyana’s campaign in the 2008 Digicel Caribbean Cup after they failed to get past the second round which was hosted in Trinidad and Tobago.
“I did tell myself that I would have never come back to Guyana but you know people change their minds, situations change and I am happy to be back and see so many familiar faces, a lot of people who I made friends with, a lot of people I rubbed the wrong way in terms of controversy but all in all it’s a nice feeling to be in,” Shabazz had said on a visit here for the Kashif and Shangai competition last year.
Now the former Head of the Female department of T&T football says it’s always good to re-connect with old friends adding that while Wayne Dover has been directing the training sessions, his role is a fact finding one at this point.
“I am very excited by some of the youngsters I have seen here and my aim is to see which of the local players can be added to the ones from the Caribbean and outside of the Caribbean to form a top-notch Guyana side. I feel at this point my contribution is better suited here than in Trinidad and I feel very at home in Guyana,” Shabazz said.
Shabazz, who said he is not too impressed with FIFA rankings since football is played on the field, told the gathering, which included GFF President (Acting) Franklin Wilson, that India have come here to play a sport inherited from our colonial masters in a cultural visit and spoke of the history of the Indian indentured servants in the Caribbean and Guyana after the abolition of slavery.
“We see what happens when India come here for cricket and this is a very important game for us for many reasons. I don’t have any real expectations since I want to see a couple of the new young players perform. What I want to see is hard work, enthusiasm and the desire to give of your best” The Coach said.
Shabazz said that this game provides International exposure for the emerging players and urged the fans to come out and support the Guyanese tonight.
Wilson, at the helm of the GFF after the Provisional Suspension by FIFA of its long-serving President Colin Klass from taking part in any Football Related Activities, said tickets cost $1,000 while Children under 12 will be admitted free.
Wilson also informed that inaugural Fastball winners Pele will compete against Bakewell Topp XX of Linden kicking off this evening’s proceedings with a Fastball encounter from 19:00hrs.
Touching briefly on the FIFA controversy which has also rocked Caribbean Football, Shabazz said what is happening in the Caribbean is a huge challenge for Caribbean people to pick up the mantle and work together for Caribbean Football after the suspension of CONCACAF President Trinidadian Jack Warner.
“Warner has given great service to Caribbean Football for a long time but now that his time is over it is an opportunity for the Caribbean to throw up some good ambitious new leaders. We must now be ready to get back organized to be the force that could be and will be in Caribbean football,” Shabazz said.
GFF Organising Secretary Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major, Programme Director of the National Women’s Programme in Guyana Colin Baker and National players Walter Moore and Kayode McKinnon were also present yesterday.
Experienced 30-year-old Midfielder McKinnon said in the absence of some of the overseas based players for today’s clash, his role will be to provide encouragement and motivation to help the younger guys properly utilize their talent.
“I came in yesterday (Monday) and trained with the guys and this is an important time for the young players to see where we are at and improve in a short time. I see plenty of enthusiasm and we are looking forward to the challenge,” McKinnon informed.
With 10 senior national caps since his debut against St Vincent and the Grenadines in 2008, McKinnon stressed that attitude and discipline are everything at this level.
“The International game is more about mental strength. To excel you need speed of thought, especially in pressure situations. We have lots of talent but how we adopt to the situations on the field is very important,” He concluded.
Guyana reached 86 in the FIFA rankings last year November after a tremendous 2006 year when they won 10 consecutive matches but have slipped to 116.
Gates open at 18:00hrs and two exciting matches are expected.

---

---