While offering his best wishes to the squad ahead of their pivotal encounter against Guatemala in the Gold Cup Qualifier
tonight, former captain Sam Cox says he is disappointed over his non-selection for the prestigious championship.
Cox along with several senior players, were omitted from the Concacaf Gold Cup squad by current tactician Marcio Maximo.
The Golden Jaguars are scheduled to face off with Central American outfit Guatemala tonight from 9.30pm at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The winner of this first round qualification fixture will battle the winner of the Guadeloupe/The Bahamas encounter on July 6 for a place in the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup.
The right-back has not featured for the Golden Jaguars in their two previous FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against St. Kitts and Nevis and Puerto Rico. His last appearances occurred against Trinidad and Tobago and The Bahamas in the said tournament.
The Golden Jaguars, in their recent outings, were dumped out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, after concluding the group campaign with a record of three losses and a win.
Guyana lost to Trinidad and Tobago (4-0), St. Kitts and Nevis (3-0) and Puerto Rico (2-0), with their only victory occurring against the Bahamas (4-0).
The following is the entire interview granted to Stabroek Sports yesterday by Cox.
SS: How disappointed are you as the long- serving captain at not making the squad once again following your World Cup snub?
SC: “In terms of my disappointment at not being called up, of course it’s disappointing. It’s something as a player representing the national team for nearly seven years now. We have been building the programme for a long time now and of course when there is a major tournament around the corner and you see your name not included in the squad it’s heartbreaking and disappointing.
“Ultimately, at the end of the day, the manager made the decision and you have to go by that. Am I gutted? Of course I am. Would I love to be there? Yes, but I wish nothing but the best for the boys who are out there and I hope that they can do the business against Guatemala on the third. But yes, being captain for the last six years and being excluded so close to the Gold Cup, yes it’s disappointing to take.”
SS: What are your thoughts on several senior overseas players being overlooked for selection?
SC: “Yes of course when you see senior members of the side excluded such as Neil Danns who represented the national team programme and came in the same time as I did and has been the heartbeat for the side in the last six to seven years and has played with such passion, pride, integrity and represented Guyana to the max around the world. He was such a key integral role at the Gold Cup in 2019 to see him left out along with the likes of Terrell Ondaan who is probably playing at the highest domestic level out of the crop of Guyanese players available to us. Kadell Daniels who played a big part in us reaching the Gold Cup and has represented with such quality. Callum Harriott, the same goes for him. Of course you still have Elliot Bonds at home. It’s shocking to see, surprising to see but at the end of the day the boss has made the choice in the direction he wants to take the program. At the end of the day, the proof will be in the pudding.”
“It’s one I am still trying to get my head around, it’s disappointing but you just have to wish the boys the best now. The ones that have been selected go out and represent Guyana to the max because to represent your country is the biggest achievement of my footballing career. To play international football is the pinnacle of anyone’s career so I wish all those boys who have been given the opportunity now to represent the shirt to go and do the business and give everything you got against Guatemala because it’s a huge opportunity, one where a lot of players would love to be in their shoes. It’s a fantastic opportunity for them.”
SS: Similarly, it seems that the GFF has opted to go ahead and continue with their transition policy. Do you agree with this policy of transitioning the team?
SC: “At this point with such a huge game on the horizon with Guatemala on the 3rd, I really don’t want to speak about the transition policy yet. For me international football should be made up of the best possible players available. I will speak about it more in time but for now I want those boys to be fully focused and committed and ready for the game against Guatemala.”
SS: Despite being omitted from the team, are you still eligible and willing to represent the team in the future?
SC: “100 per cent – I am only 30 years old now, I would like to think that I am in peak shape. I am back playing domestically now and would love to be out in Miami captaining the boys on the 3rd. unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be. My mentality has always been that everything happens for a reason. I fully support the boys that are out there at the moment and I want them to get the result against Guatemala and proceed to the next round of the Gold Cup preliminary rounds and then god willing get to the major tournament. That’s what I want in my heart.”
“I still consider myself an active member of the Guyanese roster, I still see myself as a captain even though I am not there I still continue to be in contact with the boys giving positive energy. I am still in contact with most of the boys out there and when called upon I will be giving 100 per cent for my country as I have done from day one and I will continue to do so. Yes I am still ready and waiting for when that opportunity comes around again.”
SS: What are your thoughts on the unexpected passing of former Golden Jaguars Manager Mark Xavier?
SC: “I want to offer my condolences to Mark Xavier’s family and friends. Those who knew Marky knew what a top man and human he was. Full of life, always honest always had Guyanese football at its best interest. He fully supported me and many of the overseas players that cane on the scene in 2015.”
“I was only speaking to him last week and to hear the news of his sudden passing was shocking and heartbreaking and on behalf of the whole Guyanese fraternity I want to say massive condolences and rest in paradise.”
