It was a dogfight, but we created more chances - Shabazz

It was a dogfight, but we created more chances – Shabazz

Sep 04, 2011 Sports

– performance not fluid

By Rawle Welch

Describing Guyana ‘Golden Jaguars’ 2-0 triumph over Barbados in the 2014 World Cup qualifier as a dogfight, Technical Director of the team Jamal Shabazz in an interview with Kaieteur Sport from the team’s hotel yesterday said that the players displayed a lot of heart and determination.
“It was a dogfight most of the game, but we created more chances and scored two very good goals,” Shabazz recounted in his assessment of the game.
He pointed out that if some calls had gone their way, they could have easily ended up scoring more goals.
Shabazz in continuing his analysis of the game said that he would be the last one to be deceived that the performance was a fluid one, adding that the team is still a long way from how he would like to see them play.
“I think it is still a work in progress, we were able to merge some veterans with some of the young players of the future, and when you add that with the foreign-born players you need a little more time to build the ideal chemistry,” Shabazz informed.
Quizzed on which areas needed to be strengthened, Shabazz in his response said that there needs to be better co-ordination in the middle in addition to the flank mid-field and wing backs and those areas will be the focus heading into the Bermuda game scheduled for Tuesday.
Shabazz commenting on whether changes will be made to the starting line-up disclosed that after the session today, he along with the other members of the coaching staff will sit and decide on the approach and the personnel that will start.
Asked about his knowledge of the Bermudians, he said not much he knows, but assured that with 8 players with professional experience in the side, they would be foolish to underestimate them.
Guyana is ranked above Bermuda in the FIFA latest rankings, but Shabazz informed that he is not one that is guided by such releases rather he prefers to look on the day and see what occurs on the field.
He said he was told that the Bermudians looked particularly impressive against his native Trinidad and Tobago where they lost 1-0 and even defeated the ‘Soca Warriors’ a few years ago.
Guyana has not beaten T&T for sometime now.
Shabazz lauded the contributions of Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson, Chris Nurse, Kayode McKinnon and the veteran Charles ‘Lilly’ Pollard, who he paid extra tribute to for coming to represent his country at such short notice.
“I must recognise the effort made by ‘Lilly’ Pollard for responding to my call which was made on Thursday morning and was on a flight at mid-day to replace JP Rodrigues and even managed to score a goal for his country prompting his teammates to rename him the ‘Ultimate Jaguar’” the TD stated.
He said when one look at Pollard on the field at the same time with 17 year old Treyon Bobb, it tells you Guyana’s football is gearing to make a smooth transition.
Shabazz was adamant that they are not looking past Bermuda and thinking about the clash against T&T, but rather the next game which is always the most important game for him.
“This is the standard rule for all teams that I coach, the next game is the most important. T&T though arguably our toughest opponent in the group is most distant from our minds.”
The TD believed that the players are really showing a good attitude and big heart, indicating that his role really is just to manage the process.
Questioned on his thoughts about what many perceived as poor officiating, Shabazz said that referees are humans and just like players they make mistakes as well, but when you are on the receiving end it makes you angry.
Luckily Guyana ended up winning the game and according to Shabazz he forgave the officials.
He added that the biggest victory on the night was the connection he saw between the players and the fans. According to him, you actually felt the electricity between the players and their supporters.

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