Golden Jaguars ready to give 100% against Vincy Heat in WCQ today

Jun 10, 2015 Sports

Team will be compact and organized defensively – Shabazz

By Franklin Wilson in St. Vincent compliments of:

All the hard work has been put in on and off the field of play and its now down to execution time as Guyana’s ‘Golden Jaguars’ get set to roar against St. Vincent & the Grenadines ‘Vincy Heat’ this afternoon from 15:30hrs at the Arnos Vale Play Field in the island of St. Vincent & the Grenadines.

Battle Ground For Golden Jaguars/Vincy Heat Clash! The Arnos Vale Play Field, venue for today’s WCQ between St. Vincent & the Grenadines and Guyana.

This game is the first for both nations in the CONCACAF round 2 of FIFA World Cup, Russia 2018 qualifying.
Speaking with Kaieteur Sport after team practice yesterday afternoon at the game venue, Shabazz noted that the focus is now for the players to relax and get their heads, spirit and vibes together for the task at hand and to give 100%.
“These are the moments that we’ve been praying for, every footballer’s dream is to advance in world cup qualifiers and every country’s dream is to do that. We’ve done all we can do both on and off the field, we’ve put in the work and now it’s just to go on the pitch and execute.”
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) on request from the Technical Staff had to act quickly to reinforce the team following the none issuance of passports to four overseas based players, namely Neil Danns, Matthew Briggs, Samuel Cox and Marcel Barrington.
The players who have been called up and who traveled to SVG yesterday along with the

Golden Jaguars practicing set pieces yesterday afternoon at Arnos Vale.

England based quartet are Pernel Schultz, Kevin Beaton and Chris Camacho who have all been training with the Golden Jaguars.
Shabazz did say that the team has depth and that they were two players competing for each position in the squad which was a good thing.
The inspirational Shabazz noted that they would always want the best team for Guyana to be on the pitch at any given time reminding that a lot of sacrifices would have been made to make the boys available to play for Guyana.
“I’m a bit disappointed that we didn’t get the help that we sought in terms of the paper work being done on time. But we look forward to it being done for Sunday’s game. This is the challenge of football to rise above challenges and obstacles, of course it provides opportunities for the other guys who have been working hard to stake their claim in the team.”
The tested, tried and proven Head Coach believes that it’s going to be a test in terms of showing the depth that the Golden Jaguars have in the team.
“I for one am happy with the squad that we have but as a coach you always want to get better.”
There will be no room for error in the home and away tie and like the home team, the visitors would be aiming for a good result. St. Vincent have brought back a number of overseas based players including some from England for this all important clash which would see only the winner from the two legged series advancing to the next CONCACAF round.
Shabazz shared that the format is for everyone, noting that when the rain falls, it doesn’t fall on one man’s house top only.
“We play them away in their house and they’ve got to come to our home. So in their house we want to be cautious, we want to be compact and organized defensively and don’t take too many risks. They’ve got to come and break us down, if they do that, well, they have good chance but then they have to come to our home and you know in our home we will not be as hospitable.
So I think it will be an interesting contest and we look forward with great enthusiasm for it.”
Guyana’s starting X1 is: Akel Clarke (Goalkeeper); Defenders, Jamaal Smith, Colin Nelson, Dwain Jacobs and Walter Moore. Midfleiders Captain Christopher Nurse, Brandon Beresford, Vurlon Mills and Daniel Wilson with Emery Welshman and Sheldon Holder the forwards.
The reserves are Adrian Butters, TrayonBobb, Ricky Shakes, Derrick Carter, Pernel Schultz, Eon Alleyne, Kevin Beaton and Chris Camacho.