Following the testing of several locally based Golden Jaguar internationals for the Covid-19 virus by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) in November, Head coach Marcio Maximo disclosed that the respective results are expected to be received this week by the management team.
This was revealed during an exclusive interview yesterday with Stabroek Sport. According to Maximo, “We are expecting to receive all the results of the tested players probably by Monday [today]. We are still working on our plans, and we are waiting on the government for permission to start training, hopefully by next Monday we can start training. Probably by Monday we expect to start if the government gives us permission. Until now we are still working here, we are still working on Monday, hopefully we start next Monday but the results we are expecting soon.”
The GFF commenced the testing process of several national team players and staff for the Covid-19 virus ahead of the commencement of training for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Among the players that were tested are Daniel Wilson, Sheldon Holder, Pernell Schultz, Kelsey Benjamin, Kevin Dundas, Curtez Kellman and Raphael Edwards.
Denzil Hernandes, Charles `Lily’ Pollard and Rawle Adams of the management team were also examined.
Maximo also disclosed that the management team was aiming to secure an international practice match during the month of February before the commencement of the qualifiers. However, he conceded that the current health crisis impedes and hampers the process of securing the international encounter, an impediment which is shared by many of the competing nations.
He added, “We expect a match in February. We are trying to get one, but all countries have the same problem at the moment. Everyone has the same issue, can’t train together because of the situation. Nobody can use all the players at the same time because it’s difficult to travel. We have to concentrate on what we can do, maximize our time. We have to use the time properly and do what we have control over.”
The Guyanese have been drawn in group-F in the first stage of the Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers, a pool which contains traditional rival Trinidad and Tobago, St. Kitts and Nevis, Puerto Rico and The Bahamas. Guyana will open their campaign away to Trinidad and Tobago on March 25th, before hosting The Bahamas on March 30th.
In their third match, Guyana will play St. Kitts and Nevis on June 4th before ending their group round at home on June 8th against Puerto Rico. Upon the conclusion of the first round, the second stage will consist of the respective group winners facing off in a home and away series during the latter stages of June. Winner of group-A will oppose group-F, whilst group-B battles group-E and group-C engages ground-D.
The eventual victors will advance to the final round in September which will consist of eight teams. Following the conclusion of the final round, the top three teams will qualify to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The fourth placed finisher will contest the Confederation Playoff. Guyana’s best showing in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers occurred in the 2014 edition, as they romped to the third stage of qualifying. This is the penultimate section of the confederation’s qualification process.
Brazilian Máximo was appointed as the Interim Head-Coach for the 2019-2020 CONCACAF Nations League effective August 21st 2019, after incumbent Michael Johnson officially tendered his resignation from the post effective on August 13th. Maximo possesses over 30 years of knowledge at the national and club levels and is the holder of a CONMEBOL (South American Football Confederation) Pro License.
