Despite the fact that they reside at the bottom of Group B having lost all two of the matches they have played so far in the current International Football Federation (FIFA) World Cup qualifiers, national football captain Chris Nurse is optimistic of victory against El Salvador on Friday.
The national team is set to oppose El Salvador at 8pm (10pm Guyana time) Friday night at the Estadio Cuscatlan in El Salvador, the largest stadium in South America with a seating capacity of 40,000.
The Guyanese are at the bottom of the points standings in Group B with two losses in as many World Cup qualifying matches.
However, facing El Salvador at home is a tough ask especially with the knowledge of what the support of home-based fans can mean to a team hungry for success.
National captain Chris Nurse is cognizant of the benefits of home court advantage.
“All the players certainly agree that atmosphere can make the big difference at this level of football. We need the support for our team and our players. However, regardless of this, we will go out and play our best to make those who support us proud and by God’s grace we will be victorious come the end of 90 minutes,” he said.
Nurse might be enthusiastic and optimistic but the fact of the matter is that there appears to be a gulf separating the two sides.
Guyana is ranked 99th by FIFA in comparison to El Salvador’s 49th and while rakings do not always tell the whole story the fact of the matter is that El Salvador’s has a better record in its last five matches than the Golden Jaguars.
Guyana has lost its last five matches.
Looking at the last five matches played by the Golden Jaguars, two Olympic qualifiers and three Friendly international engagements, the records will show the Golden Jaguars losing all five matches.
On August 15 they lost 0-2 to Bolivia in a friendly encounter and then was beaten 0-4 on June 12 in their World Cup qualifier
Prior to that they lost 1-3 to Mexico in Mexico on June 8 in another World Cup qualifier. On May 18 they were beaten 1-0 by Jamaica in a Friendly international and on February 29 they lost 0-2 to Guatemala in another friendly international.
El Salvador’s record, though better is not that flattering either. They lost to Mexico 1-2 in their World Cup qualifier on June 12 after drawing with Costa Rica 2-2 on June 8 in another World Cup qualifier.
They have also lost two Friendly Internationals losing 0-3 to Honduras on June 2 and 0-2 to Jamaica on August 15. Their lone victory came against Guatemala whom the defeated 1-0 on August 11 in a Friendly International.
Nurse, though, noted that this was the furthest the national soccer team had reached in World Cup football.
“We have come a long way as a footballing nation to be competing at this level and we are by no means out of our depth. For every experience the team is growing stronger. Defeat is never the desired outcome. However some of the best lessons are learnt in defeat. They make you stronger going forward. The future for the national team is very bright as long as the support and belief remains strong.”
The 28-year old central midfielder also noted that although he is national skipper, one of the great things about the team, is that essentially on any given day, all 11 players who start a match for the Jaguars can be a leader on the pitch.
“Being the named skipper has no bearing, there are 11 experienced professionals on the field each with their own leadership techniques and with loud voices. This has been one of the team strengths in the number of leaders that we have within the squad. The fight will always be present amongst this team, as long as we remain unified and together, the task before us is in our own hands. We believe in one another as players and staff,” he stated.
When asked what he hopes to see accomplished during the camp in Panama and the final preparation when the team arrives in El Salvador before the big night on Friday, Nurse said:”We will obviously work on the tactical element, and the discipline we are to execute as part of the game plan. But it is also a chance to bond as a team, because the more unified and the better the team spirit is in camp, that is what we will carry onto the field. So it is a chance for team bonding and listening and executing the desired game plan going forward.”
Guyana team: Richard Reynolds, Colin Edwards (Goal-Keepers), Charles Pollard, Walter Moore, Colin Nelson, John Paul “JP” Rodrigues, Jamaal Smith (Defenders), Chris Nurse (captain), Kayode McKinnon, Konata Mannings, Nick Millington, Dwight Peters, Dwain Jacobs, Kester Jacobs, Ricky Shakes, Trayon Bobb (Mid-Fielders), Carl Cort, Gregory Richardson, Vurlon Mills, Anthony Abrams, Shawn Beveney (Strikers).
Coach: Jamaal Shabazz, Assistant Coach: Wayne Dover, Trainer: Americo Falopa, General Manager: Rawle Adams, Assistant Manager: Mark Xavier, Equipment Manager: Trevor Burnett, Goal-Keeper Coach: Andrew Hazel, Physiotherapist: Debita Harripersaud.
El Salvador squad : Dagoberto Portillo, Benji Villalobos, Carlos Romeo Moneagudo, Dennis Alas, Isidro Gutierrez, Osael Romero, Elder Figueroa, Alexander Larin, Ramon Alfredo Sanchez, Eliseo Quintanilla, Nelson Bonilla, Christian Castillo, Alfredo Pacheco, Darwin Cerén, Steven Francis Purdy, Victor Turcios, Herbert Sosa, Mark Lester Blanco, Jaime Alas, Rafael Burgos, Milton Molina, Ricardo Ulloa, Xabier Garcia, Jonathan Aguila Joya, Derby Carillo, Cuellar Yimi, Irving Valdez, Julio Martinez and Omar Mejia.
