‘We are not head and shoulders above the other Caribbean teams’
By Emmerson Campbell
After topping Group Two in the first round of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Cup, Guyana’s Golden Jaguars will look to roar to victory against second round foes, French Guiana, host Grenada and Haiti when Group Six action kicks off on November 14.
In the first round last month, the Jaguars clawed their way past Curacao, 1-0, trounced host St Lucia, 3-0 but lost to St Vincent and the Grenadines 1-2 but it will take a more improved performance from the locals if they are to get past the more formidable second round opposition.
During an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sport on Friday, Coach of the Jaguars, Jamaal Shabazz reiterated that the second round Group Six teams will be harder to defeat but assured that once his charges are focused and play to their ability, they can qualify for the next stage.
“Judging from the matches in St Lucia, it is going to be a difficult group,” said Shabazz.”We are not heads and shoulders above the other Caribbean teams, these teams are competitive and we saw that in St Lucia as our backs were against the wall and we had to come out fighting so this group is going to tough.”
Shabazz added: “Remember when we advanced out of the Group Stage of the World Cup Qualifiers, we did not dominate the Caribbean teams, we defeated Barbados 3-1 and 2-0, we drew with Bermuda 1-1 and won 2-nil, we beat Trinidad 2-1 and we lost to them 2-0, but we are confident once we keep focussed and the guys continue to give of their best we can advance to the finals.”
Shabazz also intimated that changes will be made in order for the team to improve.
“I think we have to shake up the striking line some players under performed, I won’t call names at this point but we have to play the players who are showing a more willingness to be more composed and clinical in front of the goal; that is the area we need to improve on the most.”
He continued:“I think we have to settle the team too and get everybody more focused on the importance qualifying for the next stage which is the finals for the CFU, those two areas I know are critical for us to improve on.”
When quizzed on the team’s preparation Shabazz stated: “The preparation has started already with players playing in their respective clubs overseas and abroad. The GFF’s finances do not permit us to have a long camp nor does club commitments but we are looking to get together the squad on Thursday which is five days before we leave to go to Grenada.
“We are expecting like all international teams, that players keep their level of fitness with their clubs so when we bring them together it is just for fine tuning.”
The national coach disclosed that the squad will again be predominantly made up of local and Trinidad and Tobago based players but mentioned that he has received commitments from Ricky Shakes (England based) and Jamal Smith (Sweden based)
“Both J.P Rodrigues and Carl Cort sustained injuries in the finals of their club competition and their injuries will take about three to four weeks to mend but once we advance to the finals (which will be played next month) they will be available so it will again be a squad mostly made up of both local and Trinidad based players along with a few who are based in the US.
“However we have gotten commitments from Ricky Shakes and Jamal Smith and we are happy they are available.”
Guyana which is ranked #122 by FIFA, will play their first match against #60 ranked Haiti on the 14th, the locals will then tackle the host on the 16th and French Guiana two days later.
Two teams from each group will advance to the finals with host Antigua & Barbuda, two-time defending champion Jamaica as well as Group 7 qualifiers Martinique and the Dominican Republic in December.
