The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has officially selected their 20-member squad for the impending CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship qualifiers on local shores, with 15 overseas based players forming the core of the team.
This was revealed in an official press release from the federation.
The team, which will compete from July 13th-21st at the National Track and Field Centre, reads Goalkeepers Taylor White and Aneesa O’Brien, Defenders Lensey Adolph (local), Sydney Puddicombe, Rylee Traicoff, Jessica Myers, Hailey David, Jade Vyfhuis, Midfielders Amanda McKenzie (local), Kiana Khedoo, Serena McDonald, Shontel Greene (local), Tori DeNobrega, Nailah Rowe, Jaida Brooks, Jenea Knight, Forwards Brianne Desa, Siacy Adams (local), Aubrey Narine and Tiandi Smith (local).
Meanwhile, Dr Ivan Joseph will serve as the Head Coach. The other members of the management team are Akilah Castello (Assistant Coach), Kasy Kirash (Goalkeeper Coach), Angelica Holder (Physiotherapist), Paul DeAbreu (Head of Sports Science), Brittany Persaud (Performance Analyst), Paul Beresford (International Team Coordinator), Naseya Brewster (Team Operations Manager), and Kayla DeSouza (Equipment Manager).
According to the release, Dr Joseph said that the team is well prepared for the challenge ahead, adding “the team is not just looking to be competitive but it is our hope and expectation that we will qualify amongst the top two teams and be ready to move on to the next round.”
He revealed, “Brianne Desa and Jade Vyfhuis…are some solid players and contributors to our programme here at the U20 level as well as some up and coming newcomers that you’ll see.”
Guyana has been placed in Group A alongside Bermuda, Antigua and Barbuda, Suriname and St Lucia. Group B comprises Anguilla, St Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Barbados. The top two finishers of each group will advance to the knockout stage of the 2019 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship.
The Lady Jaguars will open their campaign against Bermuda on July 13th at 19:00 hours. They will oppose Antigua and Barbuda on July 15th at 20:30 hours, before facing off with St Lucia on July 19th at 20:30 hours.
In their final match, Guyana will oppose Suriname on the 21st at 16:00 hours.
