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FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Qualifiers Forde underscores importance of T&T and Bahamas matches as he visits team
By Franklin Wilson
GFF President Wayne Forde (4th right) raps with the local based ‘Golden Jaguars’ and Technical Staff following their training session yesterday morning at the GFF National Training Center. (Franklin Wilson photo)
-‘Golden Jaguars’ SMNT Assistant Coach Charles ‘Lily’ Pollard putting in some work with the Golden Jaguars defenders yesterday at the GFF National Training Center. (Franklin Wilson photo)
Kaieteur News – President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Wayne Forde has accentuated the importance of the ‘Golden Jaguars’ matches against Trinidad and Tobago and the Bahamas on the 25th and 30th of this month in the Dominican Republic.
Under cloudy skies yesterday morning, Forde observed the penultimate training session here ahead of the team’s naming and travel on Wednesday of this week. Following the intense session at the GFF National Training Centre, Forde congratulated the players and Technical Staff for the consistent commitment they have shown over the past nine-weeks.
“I just wanted to drop in to see you guys in action and take a look at how things are going and I wanted you guys to know that all I’ve been receiving is very, very positive and encouraging feedback from the things have been going in the camp. I know you all have been working very hard along with Head Coach Márcio Máximo and his team.”
Whilst wishing the team safe travels to the Dominican Republic, Forde reminded the local based players who would be joined by their overseas based counterparts there; the importance of the matches to the national programme.
“I’m very pleased with the feedback; I’ve heard about everyone being here punctually, the discipline and commitment in the sessions and I’ve seen clear evidence of that this morning. So good luck and let’s have a good round of our 2022 World Cup Qualifiers.”
Forde, who was re-elected as GFF Head for his second term last November, shared that it is important for the leader to be visible and interact with players: “It’s also important for them to hear from me in terms of how I see the progress and development taking place at the national team programme. I am also here to support the Head Coach and Technical Staff who have been sacrificing and doing an extraordinary job, working under clearly what is clearly challenging circumstances.”
He said that they did not have the time that was really needed to prepare for a tournament of this caliber but acknowledged that the other competing nation have been faced with similar circumstances.
“So I am very optimistic about what I’ve seen here today, the session was very sharp, the guys were really, really looking good out there. I saw the coaches really working hard and making adjustments as the session progressed, so all in all, I think I have more than enough reasons to be optimistic that we would have a successful first round of qualifiers.”
Head Coach Máximo thanked President Forde for the impromptu visit whilst also expressing on behalf of the players and staff, their profound gratitude to the GFF and Technical Director Ian Greenwood for their continued investment in developing a solid programme.
Coach Máximo shared that the final training session would be held today whilst positing that the players have been showing a high level of commitment along with tactical, technical and physical discipline. He also complimented the players for their consistency in attending training.
The main tactician pointed out that they have been implementing lots of things off the pitch that adds up to the players keeping the focus and putting in the hard work which leads to good results.
“Our hope is high because the players have shown that they can do it and we would be joined by our international players soon.”
It was also pointed out that the competitiveness for positions in the team remains healthy any and high. The team would be made up of experienced players as well as young and exciting players who will all combine to bring home positive results for the nation.
“I think if you train well, you play well. The game reflects what you do in the training. The first game would be very tough, we have to be realistic, and we have to respect our opponents at all times. We have reviewed the statistics of the last match and we would be prepared for the battle.”
He is aiming for the ‘Golden Jaguars’ to play against the ‘Soca Warriors’ and’ Bahamian Slayersz’ like they did against Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz in Reggae Land when the two nations drew 1-1 on November 18, 2019 in the Concacaf Nation’s League.
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