The dawning of a new era in Guyana’s football will take place today when the Golden Jaguars faceoff with Dominica at 17:30hrs in their opening group matchup of the CFU Cup Qualification Tourney at Warner Park Sporting Complex in St. Kitts and Nevis.
Currently ranked 153rd by FIFA, Guyana last competed in a senior international on November 16th 2012, going down 1-2 to Grenada in the Caribbean Cup Championships.
Their reintroduction to regional football from the international wilderness will be against the FIFA 168th ranked Dominicans. With only 15 spaces separating the two sides, a tough matchup is expected. Possessing an average age of 24 and combining to total over 151 caps, the Dominicans are an experienced side.
They will be led by the attacking duo of Kurlson Benjamin and Joel Etienne-Clark. Benjamin, who has experience playing against Guyanese opposition after representing Alpha United in the 2010 Kashif and Shanghai event, will be his side’s main threat as he is the nation’s leading scorer with 14 goals.
Defence
With a lack of international experience within the Guyana side, further responsibility will have to be shouldered by captain and left fullback Walter Moore. Moore, who currently ply’s his trade with FC Vostok in the Kazakhstan League is a stalwart of the national programme having accumulated over 67 national caps.
His experience and presence at the rearguard will be vital to the Golden Jaguars progressing to the next round. Expected to partner him at the back are the trio of Quincy Adams, Trevon Lythcott and Joshua Browne.
Adams, who laces up his cleats for CONCACAF Champions League participants Alpha United, has emerged as one of the nation’s leading centre-halves on the back of a string of commanding performances locally and abroad.
Lythcott and Browne who are members of Fruta Conquerors and Slingerz FC respectively, share a common understanding due to their affiliation to the former institution and have developed into formidable fullbacks.
Browne, who is a centre-half by nature, has been deployed as a right fullback by his current suitors and has shown promise in the position. However, a switch to his natural central position might be on the cards.
Lythcott on the other hand, is a right fullback who is more than adept in operating in multiple positions inclusive of centrehalf, left fullback, right midfield and defensive midfield. Their versatility will be vital and should provide the management with options throughout the extent of the event.
Attack
While the defensive line might possess a familiar face, the offensive front is totally novel with players such as Delroy Fraser, Eon Alleyne, Shaquille Agard, Eusi Phillips, Jahaal Greaves and Delwyn Fraser tasked with leading the attacking charge.
Tormentors of local defenses, Guyana Defence Force (GDF) duo Delwyn and Delroy will hope their sibling connection can continue to prosper when they take aim at unlocking opposition defences.
Noted for his blistering pace and finishing prowess, the older Delroy emerged as one of the leading scorers during GDF’s Guyana Football Federation (GFF) national league campaign, finishing with over 10 goals in 15 games.
His success within the 18-yard area was partially due to his brother’s creative display on the right wing, as he accounted for over 12 assists in the event. The Golden Jags will hope that the connections stays linked.
Also expected to contribute if the side is to progress are Alleyne, Agard, Phillips and Greaves. The 20-year-old Agard, who is a Guyanese based in Canada, thoroughly impressed coaches during the training sessions with his vision, technically ability and link-up play.
His development after playing semi-professional football in the North America nation was clearly evident as he outplayed his competitors to nail down a spot on the roster, after initially not being a part of the original squad.
Another player who will have a point to prove is Alleyne. Possessing the quality to play multiple positions, the Fruta Conquerors attacker is noted for his dribbling ability, his deceptive pace and crosses into the area.
However, their contributions, whether positive or negative, will be affected by the combination of Greaves and Phillips. Known for their passing ability, the duo is expected to dictate the tempo of the game, quarterbacking the offensive pattern while anchoring the midfield in defence.
If Guyana is to do well during the event, their roles and functions on either side of the ball will be of outmost importance. The Golden Jaguars will continue their campaign on Friday against St. Lucia at the same event while their final
matchup will against the host nation on Sunday.
