Georgetown, Guyana – After enjoying the off-field ambience during the launching ceremony of third round, World Cup qualifiers at Princess Hotel on Saturday, the Golden Jaguars are refocusing on their on-field tasks as they prepare for international friendly action against Jamaica and the Parbo Bier Cup, within the next fortnight.
Currently 21 second tier players in which the crux are those who were part of recent matches in Martinique and Guadeloupe, begun camp yesterday morning with a two-hour training session from 8-10am under the guidance of national assistant coach Wayne Dover at the Guyana Softball Association Ground on Carifesta Avenue.
Quincy Madramootoo, Clive Andries and Andrew Murray Jr., are the players omitted from the previously selected touring squad.
Jamaica’s “Reggae Boyz” recently announced a powerful 22-man contingent that includes 14 foreign-based players for the fixture against Guyana on May 18 at the Montego Bay, Sports Complex.
Ricardo Fuller of English Premier League side Stoke City, Marlon King of English Championship side Birmingham City, Luton Shelton of Turkish side Karabukspor and Omar “Ratty” Daley of Scottish team Motherwell are some of notable names in the Jamaican contingent.
Guyana’s England and United States-based players in the Cort brothers Leon and Carl, Ricky Shakes, the Newton brothers Jake and Howard, Chris Bourne, captain Chris Nurse, John Paul “JP” Rodrigues and Gregory Richardson are unavailable due to club commitments and other reasons.
However, the Trinidad-based players in Walter Moore, Charles Pollard, Vurlon Mills, Kayode McKinnon, Ronson Williams, Colin Nelson, Trayon Bobb and Sheldon Holder, are expected to make up the final squad which will travel to Jamaica.
Following the Jamaica clash, a predominately youthful Jaguars set-up in another installment of the “Two-Tier” system approach, will travel to neighbouring Suriname to play three matches on May 23, 25 and 27 respectively.
This congestion of matches is part of a continued effort from the national technical staff to both expand the national talent pool by exposing younger players, along with playing as much friendly matches as possible ahead of opening World Cup qualifier against Mexico on June 8.
Current Golden Jaguars 21-man training squad:
Colin Edwards, Richard Reynolds, Michael Crandon, Ryan Crandon, Kris Camacho, Denvor Dennis, Konata Mannings, Anthony Benfield, Travis Grant, Dwight Peters, Pernell Schultz, Eon Alleyne, Dwaine Jacobs, Kester Jacobs, Daniel Wilson, Jamal Booker, Philber Moffat, Calvin Shepperd and William Europe, Anthony Abrams and Julien Edwards.
Coach: Jamaal Shabazz, Assistant Coach: Wayne Dover, Ivan Persaud, Trainer: Ivan Persaud, General Manager: Rawle Adams, Manager: Mark Xavier, Goal-keeper Coach: Andrew Hazel, Equipment Manager: Trevor Burnett, Physio: Donna Marie Wickham and Debita Harripersaud.
Tickets for Guyana’s home matches versus against Costa Rica on June 12, El Salvador on September 7 and Mexico on October 12 are currently on sale at Ashmin’s.
