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Guyana paid the price for not defending well – Shabazz
Holistic developmental programme needed
By Franklin Wilson
Following their exit from qualification for the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018, attention will now have to be focused on the 2022 World Cup for Guyana’s Golden Jaguars.
Guyana Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz and Captain Christopher Nurse.
Reflecting on the drawn encounter which meant that St. Vincent advanced on the away goals rule after a 4-4 tie on Sunday night at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence following a 2-2 draw in St. Vincent on Wednesday last, Guyana’s Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz stated that his charges paid the ultimate price for not defending well against Vincy Heat.
“I don’t want to be hypothetical and naïve, it’s clear, if teams score more goals than you they win. We didn’t lose the match but we lost the round by this result.”
Guyana’s defence wilted under the pressure of the St. Vincent team on their home turf. England based defender Matthew Briggs who was originally in the starting X1 was pulled out at the last moment due to a stomach upset according to Shabazz at the post match press conference.
“He complained of something in his stomach for the entire night and coming into it we felt that he would not be as fit enough. In discussion with him we felt it was better to give the chance to somebody who had more energy and a better feeling to play.” Trayon Bobb replaced Briggs in the starting team.
Captain Christopher Nurse commenting on the result said that they played their hearts out but lost the game on a few individual errors which happens in football.
Shabazz who is also in charge of the Olympic Under-23 Squad, also stated that it is his belief that the result is a good lesson for all.
“You know it’s good sometimes that the entire nation had this feeling and for this 90 minutes we saw everybody with this one feeling. This is an aspect that only sports can do and we’ve now go to continue to build the programme.”
The plain spoken Coach said that all would know he is not weak in heart noting that there are a lot of young players on their radar and with lots of FIFA dates available going forward, it is necessary to play.
“Not like the football do what it did, for two and a half years stay dormant. Football is to be played and now we’ve got to build a product again. When you are down is the time you need the support and the football with this draw where we have exited from the world cup, need now for us to continue playing friendly matches on the FIFA dates against top opponents.”
Exposure to young players he said is paramount to develop a solid foundation going forward. While it is very difficult when you do not achieve your objective, Shabazz stated that Rome was not built in a day. “The blows that don’t break our back will certainly strengthen it.”
Proper facilities are also needed Shabazz opined, stating that the national team need somewhere to train comfortably which contribute to building the programme.
“The elite league is coming where the players based in Guyana would be able to compete against each other and it is the only way forward. We can’t say we’re going to work on passing; we’re going to work on shooting, we got to work on defending, no, we have to look at a holistic programme now going forward and build.”
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