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FIFA World Cup qualifying matches…Manager confident Golden Jaguars will defeat Bermudian counterparts

Oct 11, 2011 Sports

 
Four days after defeating Barbados 2-0 in their backyard in the return encounter of their FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, Guyanese ball weavers are confident of replicating the feat against Bermuda when they tackle that team in another return encounter in that country this afternoon.
The players returned home soon after the Barbados match but left for Bermuda on Sunday morning last. Manager of the Golden Jaguars, Mark Xavier joined them after traveling one day later.
He spoke with Kaieteur Sport shortly before leaving the capital city and was high in praise of the input of Technical Director, Jamal Shabazz and his deputy, Wayne ‘Wiggy’ Dover who he said were the catalyst to the Barbados victory. “This is a strong, capable pair and I must say that Mr. Shabazz is a great inspiration to the team,” pronounced Xavier. He also acknowledged the moral support of Guyanese living in Barbados who came out in their numbers armed with miniature flags to urge the team on.
“It was amazing,” said Xavier of the magnitude of support received in Barbados. “The Guyanese regarded a win as a national achievement especially in the face of the many derogatory comments emanating from the Barbadians before the match. “They were actually playing ads on their airwaves that discouraged a Guyanese victory,” he said. To this effect, the manager admitted that such ploys, instead of riling the local players, served to strengthen their resolve and they held their nerve to the end.
Mr. Xavier further pointed out that the Bajans had drafted in two players into the initial team that played locally, both of them playing in the English leagues. “They played great football but in the end our players were better,” said Mr. Xavier.
He said that one day after the match, Guyanese living in Barbados were walking with their chests in the air knowing that they had scored a major blow. “Many of our countrymen lauded the victory since they felt it restored some level of respect to them,” explained Mr. Xavier.
Notwithstanding the victory, which propelled the team to the top of the rankings in Group ‘B,’ Xavier said that the players remain focused and will be going all, out to win this afternoon’s match as decisive as ever.
Commenting on the morale of the players Mr. Xavier explained that they are fiercely nationalistic and are concerned with the image of their country. He acknowledged the support of the government who has promised house lots to the players once they qualify for the next round. Xavier also revealed that the players had received a cheque valued at $300,000 from Odinga Lumumba on behalf of the government.
The local team leads the points standing with 9 points after playing 3 games. They will meet Trinidad and Tobago in the next game in Guyana before returning to the Twin Island Republic for the return encounter.
Mr. Xavier is suggesting that Guyanese don green and gold on the day of the Trinidad encounter in solidarity with the players. “We witnessed a sea of green and gold supported by dozens of Guyana’s flags during the Barbados encounter and I believe that a similar gesture on home soil would serve to boost our morale,” said Xavier.

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