A new pursuit of regional glory will begin today as Guyana open its Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Caribbean Cup qualifying campaign against lowly Anguilla at the National Stadium in Providence from 19:00hrs.
History points to the favourite tag being placed on the home side as the last meeting of the nations occurred more than 15 years ago with the Guyanese prevailing via a 14-0 margin on the 19th of April 1998 in Antigua and Barbuda.
Ironically, that matchup was also a Caribbean Cup engagement. While the rivalry is in its embryonic stages and thereby it is difficult to make a complete assessment, an analysis can be made from the two countries respective contests leading up to this encounter.
The Golden Jaguars, in their last seven encounters possess a record of two wins, three draws and two defeats, one of which resulted from a forfeiture due to player eligibility issues in their 2-0 win over Grenada.
In terms of individual statistics during the period, the 156th ranked Guyanese has recorded 12 goals at an average of 1.714 goals per game. Defensively, the hosts have surrendered nine goals at a rate of 1.28 per game. Guyana’s most recent fixture resulted in a 2-0 defeat of a youthful Surinamese unit on February 21st.
On the other side however, Anguilla, in their previous five fixtures are winless. Matter of fact, a closer look at their numbers highlight that the Caribbean nations’ last win came over 15 years ago via a 4-1 win over Montserrat in 2001.
Fast forward to the aforesaid five-game period. The visitors have not recorded a solitary goal. To make matters worse, the 204th ranked Anguilla unit has conceded 28 goals during the period at a rate of 5.6 goals per fixture.
A closer look at the numbers highlight that eight of the goals occurred during their recent two legged loss to Nicaragua in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. The first fixture on March 23rd in Nicaragua resulted in a 5-0 defeat while the home leg six days later brought about a 3-0 defeat.
Based on the statistics, anything other than a win would be considered a huge disappointment. The Golden Jaguars will then conclude their group campaign on March 29th away to Puerto Rico.
The squad which is headed Trinidad and Tobago native Jamaal Shabazz, will consist of eight foreign born and based players. They are Akel Clarke (Trinidad and Tobago), Neil Danns (England); Samuel Cox (England), Walter Moore (Finland), Brandon Beresford (U.S.A), Christopher Nurse (Puerto Rico), Marcel Barrington (England) and Anthony Whyte (Canada).
On the other hand, the local based contingent reads Alex Andrew Murray (Alpha United FC) King Solomon Austin (Alpha United FC), Joshua Tafari Browne (Alpha United FC), Kester Jacobs (Slingerz FC), Eon Lennox Alleyne (Fruta Conquerors FC), Vurlon Robert Mills (Slingerz FC), Gregory Fitzpatrick Richardson (Pele FC) Devon Leylando Millington (Slingerz FC), Daniel Jeran Wilson (Alpha United FC), Dwight Peters (Alpha United FC), Quincy Linford Adams (Slingerz FC), Clive Nobrega (Slingerz FC), Les Charles Critchlow (Slingerz FC), Tichard Joseph (Slingerz FC) Trayon Denzil Bobb (Slingerz FC), Konata Tafari Manning (Pele FC) Delon Lanferman (Alpha United FC).
Wayne Dover will serve as the Assistant Coach while Rawle Adams and Andrew Hazel will serve in the capacities of Team Manager and Goalkeeper Coach respectively.
The other members of the staff are Anson Ambrose, Beverley Nelson, Trevor Burnette and Earl Paul who will act as Trainer, Physiotherapist, Equipment Manager and Equipment Officer correspondingly.
The Golden Jaguars best showing in the championship was in the 2007 edition, when they lost out on a semi-final berth and a place in the CONCACAF Gold Cup due to goal difference.
In their most recent outing in 2014, Guyana made a first round exit, losing twice and securing one draw in their matches with an inexperienced side featuring predominantly local players who were making their debuts.
Round two of the event is slated to commence during the month of May, with the third round scheduled to begin in October.
The 5th Place playoff will take place in the month of November while the grand finale will occur in May of 2017. The top four teams during the conclusion of the event will qualify to the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
