With the aim of providing valuable match practice to its locally based contingent, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) is exploring the possibility of staging two international friendlies during the month of March before the start of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
This was disclosed by a source within the senior men’s national program, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. According to the source, the GFF is actively pursuing the hosting of two matches outside the FIFA stipulated window to give the team the necessary match practice before the clash with traditional powerhouse Trinidad and Tobago in the World Cup Qualifiers.
The source explained, “The GFF is working on giving the team two international games, one is slated for the 5th and the other on the 7th of March. Both games are likely to be played in Guyana because of the travelling issues associated with the team leaving and going to play.”
The Golden Jaguars have not competed on the international circuit for more than 446 days, with their previous encounter occurring against Aruba on November 15, 2019.
The source further divulged that approval has been sought from the respective governmental agencies on the possibility of staging the fixtures, and that Suriname is the likely opposition for the Golden Jaguars.
“At the moment, work is being done to get a sense as to whether approval from the national taskforce and the government will be given to allow the team to enter Guyana and play. Letters have been sent out to ascertain the possibility of staging the games. Suriname is being touted as the best possible opposition at the moment given their proximity,” the source explained.
The source pointed out that if the matches are realised, they will more than likely not feature internationally based players, owing to the fact that the fixtures are held outside the international window period and the prevailing COVID-19 travel restrictions of the respective countries where the players ply their trade.
“Because it’s outside of the window, I don’t think much effort will be made to acquire the international-based players. It will be difficult to get them during that time also because of the travelling restrictions in the different countries”, the source added.
According to the source, “If given approval, the GFF is also looking at the possibility of broadcasting the game live given that spectators will more than likely not be allowed and the National Stadium is considered the best option to stage the match especially if it’s broadcasted as that is best for the broadcasters.”
The Guyanese were drawn in Group-F in the first stage of the Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers, a pool which contains traditional rival, Trinidad and Tobago, as well as St. Kitts and Nevis, Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas. Guyana will open their campaign away to Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday March 25, before hosting the Bahamas on March 30.
In their third match, Guyana will travel to St. Kitts and Nevis for Friday June 4, before ending their group round at home on Tuesday June 8 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. The winner of Group-A will oppose Group-F, whilst Group-B battles Group-E, and Group-C engages Group-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 for 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.
