With the second leg against St. Vincent and the Grenadines set for today from 19:00hrs at the National Stadium, Guyana head-coach Jamal Shabazz said the main objective is to advance to the next round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
Playing without the services of English quartet Neil Danns, Matthew Briggs, Sam Cox and Marcel Barrington due to their inability to secure citizenship on time, Guyana, in their opening 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier fixture, secured a 2-2 draw with the Vincentians on Wednesday in the first leg staged at the Arnos Vale Stadium.
Goals from Brandon Beresford and Ricky Shakes were cancelled out by conversions from the hosts in the form of Cornelius Stewart and Tevin Slater. Outside of a win, the Golden Jaguars will simply need to secure a 0-0 or 1-1 score line to progress to the next round via the away goals rule.
On the other hand, St. Vincent and the Grenadines must secure a win or a 3-3 draw or more to progress to the next round. Any other result, would see them bowing out of the tournament.
Speaking to Stabroek Sports, the Trinidad and Tobago native said:“We must focus on performing, giving our best performance and try to win. We want so badly to get a result and to advance from the group which is more important. We have to go out there and do with it takes to get out of the group.”
He added:“We have no choice but to want to win and play to win because only winners will advance. We have a high ambition, this is a good young team we are playing against and we had a really intense encounter with them but now we are at home and we want to play like we are at home with much confidence and desire”.
Asked how significant is the re-introduction of the four English born players to the squad, he said “The fact that they are able to play is not a guarantee they will all play but it is good that their all available because the team is about depth and having depth in your lineup. Everyone has competed well and we think that these four guys will add something to the group”.
According to Shabazz, while preparation has progressed well, he noted “We were only able before to have one session on the entire field at the Providence Stadium and while we know it’s a cricket stadium, we really would have liked to have atleast five sessions on the full field. However we cannot cry over spilt milk or covered stadium grounds”.
He noted that their medical team which comprise of Duane Saunders, Beverly Nelson and Denzil Hernandez “have worked overtime on knocks and injuries to have the squad fully available. One injury concern is Dwain Jacobs who maybe a doubtful starter but everyone else can go with their knock and bruises”.
Questioned about the areas the team needs to improve on, he said “I think we need could improve on our general organization on the field and a lot more effort to close the ball down in terms of trying to regain possession”.
