![Calm before the Storm-Golden Jaguars head-coach Michael Johnson [2nd from right] and team captain Samuel Cox [right] posing with Bermuda’s coach Kyle Lightbourne [2nd from left] and skipper Dante Leverock following the conclusion of their press conference ahead of their international friendly tomorrow.](https://s1.stabroeknews.com/images/2019/06/bermuda5.jpg)
Golden Jaguars Head-coach Michael Johnson and his Bermuda counterpart Kyle Lightbourne said yesterday that the international friendly between the two nations tomorrow is the ideal preparation ahead of their respective maiden campaign in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Johnson said, “We just want to look after business ourselves, we can’t start looking and focusing on other teams and what they do and how they do. We’ve just got to go about our business and make sure we are mentally prepared, physically prepared and when we go out there, to perform at the standards that we know we are capable of doing. If we do that, where that takes us, we are more than happy.”
He added, “Are we going to go out and show our formation, our personnel and the players that are going to start, absolutely not; we would be wrong to do that knowing that the likelihood is that US,
Panama and Trinidad would all be looking at this game. What we want to do is make sure we are moving and progressing in the right way, the players are looking as sharp and physically ready within the formation that we are going and play.”
The two nations have met twice, with Guyana securing a record of one win [2-1] and a draw [1-1] in 2011.
Both teams have qualified for their maiden Gold Cup appearance, with Guyana drawn in Group-D with defending champion USA, Panama and Trinidad and Tobago and Bermuda penciled in Group-B alongside Haiti, Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
Golden Jaguars’ Captain Samuel Cox said that the match will be utilized to assess different areas of the team, adding, “To see what we are like in and out of possession and build towards the Gold Cup but we know it’s going to be a competitive fixture and one that we are all looking forward to. Players have all got their heads on it, the focus is on the next two to three weeks but Thursday is going to be a brilliant exercise for both sides for sure.”
Meanwhile, Bermuda Coach Lightbourne stated, “We’re new to the competition, we’re a nation that’s growing so we are looking for a good performance from our players. If we play to our ability that we know we can play; don’t be afraid of the occasion, enjoy it and maybe put a couple teams on the back foot, that’s what we are looking for at this stage.”
He added, “All the stuff that we’ve been working on we hope that we can see come out in this match, that’s the main priority of this match.”
Bermuda’s captain Dante Leverock said, “It’s just excitement now around the country and for us we want to put on a show, to show that we did not just qualify out of luck or whatever. It’s a big opportunity for us, even the professional players, some of the local players, some of the guys who are trying to get into professional teams; it’s a big shop window for us.”
