By Emmerson Campbell
The Golden Jaguars will be looking to bounce back against Costa Rica tonight after going down 1-3 against CONCACAF champions, Mexico, in the third round of the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers at the Estadio Azteca Stadium on Friday.
The national team which is rated 104 by FIFA will tackle the 65th rated team and Group B foe known as La Sele (The Selection) tonight at the Providence National Stadium.
During a press briefing at the stadium’s conference room yesterday, the Jaguars captain Chris Nurse stated that his charges have put the Mexico defeat behind them and are ready to roar tonight against the three- time CONCACAF champions.
“The mood in the camp is very good, we are positive, everybody on the team is looking for a positive result, we are going to be prepared tomorrow night, we learned a lot from the game in Mexico and we are positive about the game tomorrow,” Nurse stated.
Jamal Shabazz, head coach of the Guyana side, reiterated that the team is positive and is focusing on a positive result rather than the fact that Costa Rica is the higher-rated team.
“We don’t want to focus too much on the Costa Rican team, we have got to focus on what we are bringing to the game, we have a job to do and we are focused on bringing a positive result.”
When Shabazz was asked if there is anything different we should expect from the Jags the coach said:
“Every game brings its own rhythm, its own tactical approach but at the same time we must remember Mexico and Costa Rica are what we call the ‘Gog’ and the ‘Magog’, the ‘Gog’ and the ‘Magog’ are two big monsters in the Quran and Mexico and Costa Rica are monsters in CONCACAF but there is a time the future reaches with the present and Guyana is the future and we are playing home against them and we feel very excited for this moment and for a positive result.”
When asked if the Jags will play a more attacking game since the team will be on its home turf Shabazz noted that necessary strategies will be put in place depending on situations during the game.
Said Shabazz: ”We cannot determine the situation, the game will determine a lot of things, we cannot say if we are going to attack them or not but we will come and play for the country and be as positive as possible.”
Shabazz also commented on the negative comments surrounding a supposed boycott of the game because of the $3,000 admission.
“Never before has Guyana reached this level and if we look at it as a country everybody must try to participate to see if we can move this thing forward, it is not a national team that will come out of the Group it is a country.”
Shabazz continued: “We saw in Mexico where the people participated, 30,000 people were to go to the game the organizers said that but 80,000 people did, so our people have the opportunity to see their heroes against a tough opponent, this is a time to come together and rally around the team and they talk about boycott, nonsense!” Shabazz shouted.
Tickets are on sale at Ashmin’s Trading and fans are urged to wear yellow in support of the Golden Jaguars. Kick off time is 20:00hrs.
The projected starting 11 for Guyana will most likely be Chris Nurse (captain) goal keeper, Ronson Williams, Jake Newton, Leon Cort, John Paul Rodrigues, Walter Moore, Ricky Shakes, Kester Jacobs, Howard Newton, Kayode McKinnon and Carl Cort.
