Following the non-approval by the National Covid-19 Task Force to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Puerto Rico on local shores, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) is considering the option of hosting the match in St. Kitts and Nevis.
This was confirmed by General Secretary Ian Alves during an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sport yesterday. According to Alves, the regional confederation Concacaf and the world governing body FIFA, are awaiting recommendations from the local governing entity on the options for hosting the match following the non-approval of the National COVID-19 Task Force, of which St. Kitts and Nevis is the first option.
He explained, “They have set their schedule, and because we have not gotten approval from the national COVID-19 task force, we have to consider other options. At the moment they are waiting on suggestions from us. More than likely the game will be held overseas since we don’t have the approval to host the match. The first option which is common sense, is to play the game in St. Kitts and Nevis because we are playing them first. That is the first option.”
Guyana is scheduled to resume their World Cup qualifying campaign on June 4 when they travel to St. Kitts and Nevis. They were then scheduled to end their group campaign four days later when they host Puerto Rico.
Alves opined that Puerto Rico, the Golden Jaguars’ final opponents in the group round, has not been considered as an option to host the match, although it can be assessed. He added, “We have not considered Puerto Rico hosting the match, not that we wouldn’t consider it but we have not at the moment.”
Alves further divulged, “The date remains the same, once we have decided on a venue then we have to formally write FIFA and Concacaf on our recommendations because that is what they are waiting on. They are waiting on the recommendation as to where to host the match.”
The Golden Jaguars ended the first round of the qualifiers with a record of one win and a loss, following an opening 3-0 loss to Trinidad and Tobago on March 25, and a 4-0 victory against The Bahamas. Both matches were held in the Dominican Republic. Presently, the Guyanese sit in third place on three points, trailing St. Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago who possess six and four points respectively. Only the group winner will progress to the second stage of the qualifiers.
