Today the squad of over 25 local football players called to trials for the inaugural Kashif and Shanghai organized President’s Cup International Friendly match between the Golden Jaguars and Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca Warriors will be trimmed.
Yesterday, national coach Wayne ‘Wiggy’ Dover conducted the first day of a two-day trial at the Guyana National Service (GNS) ground.
Dover told Stabroek Sport that the two day trial was to ascertain the level of the local players so as to be able to prepare the correct structured programme when the team is encamped.
Yesterday, Dover conducted a beep test (which is an evaluation test to measure fitness) on the local players and said he felt that a number of the players were not up to the required fitness level.
“I was not entirely satisfied but some players showed a decent level of fitness but not that of an elite athlete,” he said.
With less than two weeks to go before “Judgment Day” at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, the Golden Jaguars seem to have their work cut out.
They are expected to be joined by a number of overseas-based players after Banks DIH Limited yesterday handed over a cheque to the Kashif and Shanghai organization to cover the players’ airfare.
According to Dover the players will have to endure double and triple sessions during their encampment to get as much work in as possible.
“No doubt that this is a pretty short time to prepare the team, but we just have to work with what we have and try our best.
“We are still optimistic for a top result, we’re not going to complain or make excuses, and we’re going to work out best to see what level we can achieve,” he said in response to a question from Stabroek Sport as to whether he felt that the time he had to prepare the team was adequate.
Dover also disclosed that it will be a challenge when the entire team comes together with the overseas-based players.
“Getting these players to work as a unit will definitely take some work during the four days they have to prepare as a unit.
“But we will be working on a lot of plays and will practice by organization so as to familiarize the players with each other,” he said.
