The national football team known as the Golden Jaguars will start as underdogs today when they lock horns with arch-rival Trinidad and Tobago’s national team known as the Soca Warriors at the Ato Bolton stadium in an International Friendly.
The clash, which will be the 15th meeting between the nations, is the third international friendly for the Guyanese who are yet to record a win this year.
Guyana battled to a 0-0 result with Martinique on local shores on March 20th before losing 0-1 in an away fixture to a Grenada side on October 7th.
Trinidad and Tobago finished sixth in the final round of CONCACAF 2010 World Cup qualifiers which featured the likes of Honduras, Mexico, the United States of America (USA), Panama and Costa Rica.
The twin island republic ended on six points from 10 matches. Their campaign was highlighted by a renowned 2-1 win against the USA on the final match-day, which led to North Americans failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. The other triumph came against Panama via 1-0 score.
Based on their current form and history against their opponents, the 165th FIFA ranked Golden Jaguars face an uphill task securing a positive result against the 83rd-ranked Soca Warriors.
Analysis of the numbers illustrate that Guyana possess an unenviable 1-11 record against Trinidad and Tobago. The Golden Jaguars’ only win in their history occurred on November 11th 2011.
The famed 2-1 victory was achieved at the National Stadium, Providence and it resulted in Trinidad and Tobago being eliminated from the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers.
However, Trinidad and Tobago has recorded 30 goals during their battles at an average of two goals per match. For Guyana, only a meagre eight goals have been scored, which translates to an embarrassing 0.25 goals per fixture.
The Guyanese squad for the clash includes goalkeepers Akel Clarke and Andrew Durant, defenders Christopher Bourne, Jelani Smith, Jake Newton, Samuel Cox and Terrence Vancooten, midfielders Dwain Jacobs, Anthony Belfield, Kadell Daniel, Daniel Jodah, Brandon Beresford and Warren Creavalle and forwards Shaquille Agard, Emery Welshman, Gregory Richardson, Devonte Small and Sheldon Holder.
Wayne Dover, Rawle Adams, Charles Pollard, Lyndon France, Eon DeVeira, Denzil Hernandez and Trevor Burnett will act in the capacities of Head-Coach, Team Manager, Assistant Coach, Physical Trainer, Goalkeeper Coach, Physiotherapist and Kit Manager respectively.
