Guyana’s Golden Jaguars friendly international schedule went slightly off track with the cancellation of two planned matches, but the return clash against St. Vincent and the Grenadines is set for Sunday in that Caribbean island.
Newly-appointed General Secretary of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Noel Adonis told Stabroek Sport yesterday that today’s planned friendly international against Barbados was called off by the Barbados authority due to the unavailability of a ground for the match.
The Golden Jaguars were also scheduled to meet the Antigua/Barbuda national selection, but that game was also pulled after the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association was suspended by FIFA, the world’s governing body for football earlier this week over a pay dispute with its former General Secretary.
The GFF Technical Director Jamaal Shabbazz had rolled out a schedule of matches two weeks ago; two games have already been played against St. Vincent and Grenada while the local squad is also down to play Honduras and Cuba next month in Guyana.
A 21-member squad is scheduled to depart Guyana today for St. Vincent for the return clash after the Golden Jaguars had recently beaten the Vincy Heat 1-0 at the Blairmont ground in Berbice.
Guyana’s Captain Charles “Lilly” Pollard who sustained a head injury in Guyana’s 2-1 loss to Grenada last Sunday at Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground has been sidelined by the injury and has been left out of the touring party.
Pollard was involved in a collision with one of the Grenadian players midway in the first half and was taken off the field.
He was taken to hospital for checks but according to the technical staff no serious injury was reported.
Also left out is nippy striker Gregory “Jackie Chan” Richardson who scored the lone goal against the Vincy Heat but suffered an injury during the match.
US-based midfielder Sean Cameron and striker Nigel “Powers” Codrington were also left out of the touring party.
Koyode McKinnon who deputized for Pollard during the second half of Sunday’s match is likely to take over the captaincy of the team.
Head Coach Wayne “Wiggy” Dover disclosed that the team would looking to bounce back from last Sunday’s defeat by the Grenadians.
According to Dover the national squad will be involved in a closed door game against Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday before returning home
The squad had a training session yesterday afternoon at Carifesta Avenue Sports Complex ground.
The 21 players are: Richard Reynolds, Andrew Durant, Seon Johnson (goalkeepers), Howard Lowe, Cary Harris, Walter Moore, Selwyn Isaacs, Troy Prescod, Kelvin McKenzie, Orlando Gilgeous (defenders), Kyode McKinnon, Shawn Bishop, Omali Nassi, Kanata Manning, Dwayne Jacobs, Pearce Joseph, Eddie Gomes, Shawn Beverney, Quancy Johnson (midfielders), Collie Hercules, Anthony “Awo” Abrams (strikers).
The Technical team comprise: Jamal Shabbazz (Technical Director), Wayne Dover (head coach), Kavin Pearce (coach), Lindley Longhorn (Physical Trainer/ Physiotherapist), Frank Parris and Rawle Adams (managers).
The Golden Jaguars are preparing of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers later this year after drawing a bye from the first round.
