By Calvin Roberts
When Guyana’s Golden Jaguars tackle Suriname in the return fixture of their second round FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Guyana National Stadium, at Providenceon Sunday they will have to do so without the services of prolific striker/midfielder Randolph `Blackhead’ Jerome.
But, as an added boost, the services of Shawn ‘Fatso’ Bishop is available to Technical Director, Jamaal Shabazz and his technical committee to utilize, something Shabazz is pleased about.
“I am not concerned with who is not here, I am concerned with who is and ready to fight for their country. We are not dealing with ghosts, but able-bodied soldiers.
“That’s what’s necessary for this fight and the inclusion of Bishop is a tremendous boost for this game.”
Jerome, who had the opportunity to captain Guyana’s Under-21 team in 1997 and the Under-23 side two years later, plays for the Cleveland City Superstars in the United States Soccer League and has encountered visa problems which has prevented him from making the trip home to represent his country.
Shabazz, who took time out from his team’s training to speak with Stabroek Sports added:“Even though we don’t have the services of Jerome, Bishop’s services would be a tremendous boost to this unit. He was part of the team leading up to the first game, but on the doctor’s advice, we had to rest him in order for him to fully recuperate for this fixture.”
The diminutive midfielder, who plays for Alpha United in the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) GT&T Cellink Plus-sponsored Premier League competition, bitten by the flu bug and needed additional time to recuperate.
“He has fully recovered from that predicament and is ready and raring to have a go at the Surinamese come Sunday. We are happy to have him back in the team, as in the first game we were missing a vital ingredient.” said Shabazz.
“That ingredient was the ability to penetrate the opposition defence from the midfield position and no one on the team has the ability to do that as Bishop can,” heh added.
BEST I HAVE SEEN IN THE CARIBBEAN
Shabbazz said he was impressed with the venue that will be hosting the return leg, even stating that it was the best he has seen in the Caribbean.
“I am very impressed with the Guyana National Stadium. It is the best ground I have seen around the Caribbean. It is a beautiful surface for football and with its’ drainage capabilities, I would say that it can host 10 football matches in a week.”
He added:“It makes me want to go and shed some pounds, get a Guyanese passport and try and make the team for future matches. That ground is sweet in comparison to some I have seen around the Caribbean and come Sunday, the guys will give a good account of themselves in front of their home fans.”
Meanwhile, president of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Colin Klass, in an invited comment, urged the Golden Jaguars to forget about the conditions they encountered in Suriname for their opening encounter and play to their full potential on Sunday.
“Without a shadow of a doubt, this team can put on an exemplary performance compared to the one they displayed on Sunday at the Andre Kamperveen Stadium, in Suriname and I want to urge them to forget about that first game and play above the quality they produced there.”
Klass expressed lots of confidence in the Jaguars, even stating that they can play in any condition on any field and come out on top.
“I am not saying that they are miracle workers, but this team has the potential to perform in any condition on any surface and come out on top. I am not saying that they will beat a team like the USA for example, but once they play to their full potential, they can produce outstanding performances and I am 100% certain that come Sunday, they will do such and advance Guyana to the next round of this world Cup qualifiers” Klass stated.
Newton brothers
Klass also explained why the Newton brothers, Howard and Jake, were unable to play in the first game.
“England-born and raised, brothers Howard and Jake Newton, could have represented Guyana in Suriname, but the match commissioner declined to have them participate. We did not have any administrative blunders as was earlier reported in some parts of the media. The passports were not there in the physical, but it was there in the form of a fax copy which was presented to the match commissioner who stood to his word of declining them the right to play.”
He added: Despite our pleadings, he refused to change from his decision and the coach had no other alternative but to change his side and replace Howard Newton who was slated to start. But come Sunday, there will be no more hiccups and they will definitely be donning the gold and representing the Golden Jaguars in the return fixture.”
Like Shabbaz, Klass said that Jerome’s absence would be greatly felt by the team, but insisted that with or without Jerome, the team could advance.
“It would have been great to have him play in the game but due to immigration issues, he is unable to make it. However, even though he would be greatly missed, with or without him Guyana will advance to the next round of the qualifiers.
“They have won games without him before and it is not to say that because he is not there they will fold and surrender to Suriname. Like I said before, they have the potential to beat Suriname on any surface and in any conditions at any given time” Klass stated.
Guyana lost the first match by a 1-0 margin at the Andre Kamperveen Stadium in Paramaribo, Suriname last Saturday and will face the same opponents in a return clash on Sunday at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence where they need to win by two clear goals to advance to the next round.