Former Golden Jaguars Captain Chris Nurse said Guyana has a good chance of success in the opening round of the CONCACAF qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup once preparation is at its optimum.
The Golden Jaguars will open their campaign against familiar foes St. Vincent and the Grenadines following the official round two draw on January 15. The round is set for June 8-16.
“If we can get the right preparation we will stand a good chance. Players need to be playing regular football at a decent competitive standard to allow the players to be fit, confident and in good form in the lead up to these games. It’s all about preparation,” Nurse said in an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sport.
“This allows the team to be ready and will raise awareness for more and better players to make themselves available. Of course in the build-up we will need consistent national fixtures so the team can gel and work can be done in preparation in,” he said, adding that once this happens the team can face any opponent with confidence.
“The name of the opponent at this stage is irrelevant. What is most important is that we are doing the best that we can to prepare correctly for an international fixture, which requires a lot more attention to detail than a tournament fixture or a domestic league game. International football means you are competing against the best. Which means preparation needs to be the best it can be,” Nurse said.
Asked about the expectation of the team following Guyana’s disappointing 2014 Caribbean Cup showing, Nurse said he was not involved in the Cup and could not comment; “However, this is a team that has not competed for two years coming together to play their first game.” Further, the Fort Lauderdale midfielder said “I do not think realistically there can be much more expectation [at] the beginning of a rebuilding process, the initial introduction process and players beginning to learn each other’s habits etc. Of course we want to win, and that will be the objective, but we must first respect the game.” Nurse explained, “We have not competed in two years and we are where we are in the FIFA rankings for that reason deservedly so. This does not represent the individual talent in the team, we have very good players. But we now need to reconnect as a unit and a team.”
Questioned if Guyana can replicate their previous achievements in spite of the hiatus and retirements of several players, Nurse said “This is 100% dependent on how things pan out over the next six months. We have approximately six months before the important games arrive.” He further noted that “If we are playing consistently, we are calling the best players and we are given enough time to do the necessary work in preparation and competitive exhibition games, then most certainly we can replicate achievements of the past…But understand the success of the national team requires the collective support and unity of the country and all Guyanese people near and far. It’s the attention and support of the small things that lead to the greater successes that we all celebrate in victory.”
