The Guyana Football Federation [GFF] has officially released the provisional squad for the Under-20 boys CONCACAF tournament to be held at the IMG Arena, Florida, USA.
The 26-member shortlisted squad reads:- Goalkeepers Jonathan Copeland, Sese Norville, Jermaine Cumberbatch and Denzil Smith – Defenders:- Cecil Jackman, Nixon Robertson, Javier Smith, Rishawn Ritch, Neston Brown, Lionel Holder and Kevin Padmore – Midfielders:- Ryan Dowding, Brentsley Allicock, Stefan Reynolds, Nicolas Mc Arthur, Ryan Hackett, Job Caesar, Kelsey Benjamin, Chris Macey, Tyrese Forde, Andre Mayers and Rondel Peters and Forwards:- Leon Richardson, Adrian Aaron Camptown, Dwayne Rebeiro and David Coates.
Wayne Dover, Head-Coach of the side said, “The week began with physical evaluation of the players to test the level of fitness of players. Our aim as a staff is to qualify and we made it clear to the players the level of discipline, dedication, commitment, and hard work that is required to achieve the objective. The teams in the group are very tough on paper but we all know that the matches are played on the field, and every team has a chance to win and qualify once they apply themselves.”
He added, “During the Indigenous Heritage Sports, we did some scouting and identified two talent, which add strength to the U20 national programme.”
The two individuals are David Coates and Neston Brown of Rupununi FA.
“Brown is a left full back, a position which has slowly become a dying breed in Guyana. He possesses qualities, which once harnessed properly, can see him become a senior national player who can perform as (Walter) Moore and (Chris) Bourne did with distinction. Coates, on the other hand, has demonstrated qualities as a forward, which can match the talent we have seen in the past such as Gregory Richardson. We will nurture them to realize their potential.”
Guyana will play Guatemala at 10:30hrs in their opening clash on November 2nd before battling Cayman Islands four days later. They will then oppose Curacao from 12:45hrs in the third matchup on November 8th, before concluding their group campaign on November 10th against El Salvador from 19:45hrs.
O’Neil Heywood of Den Amstel FC will act as the assistant coach. The other members of the management staff are Gregory Richardson [striker coach], Vurlon Mills [In Possession Coach], Anthony Belfield [Out of Possession Coach], Phillip Carrington [Goalkeeper Coach], Wilson Toledo [Coach Developer & Head of Sports Science], Dr. Alex Hawkins [Team Doctor], Denzel Hernandez [Physiotherapist], Asser Lutu [Performance Analyst & Head Scout], Team Operations Coordinator [Daniel Thomas] and Travis Moore [Equipment Manager].
