-Shabbazz wants World Cup venue identified as quickly as possible
By Calvin Roberts
Having lost their friendly encounter to one of Europe’s giants England last Sunday, Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca Warriors rebounded to defeat Guyana’s Golden Jaguars by an identical score in a friendly encounter at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva Trinidad yesterday afternoon.
Following the defeat, Technical Director of the Golden Jaguars team, Trinidadian Jamaal Shabbazz told Stabroek Sport in a telephone interview that he would like to see the issue of identifying a venue for Guyana’s 2010 World Cup qualifier return game against Suriname on July 22 settled as quickly as possible.
In their warm up encounter Trinidad, led by a double from their England-based professional Jason Scotland and a single strike from Kevon Connell, dominated opponents who are using their facilities to prepare for their 2010 World Cup campaign.
“We played a unified game for the first 15 minutes but we faded after that and it was all Trinidad as the home team dominated the game from there.
“Despite the loss, the guys gave a good account of themselves but we need to organize our defence more,” said Shabbazz.
He added: “We also made a lot of penetrations up front, but our forwards let us down and left a lot to be desired of our finishing. However, we are happy that we could have gotten in some high quality practice as we soldier on in our preparation for World Cup 2010. “
The team will play Trinidad’s number one professional side CLICO Jabloteh tomorrow in another warm up game at the Larry Gomes Stadium.
Meanwhile, Shabbaz told Stabroek Sport that he was not worried about where the return World Cup qualifying fixture against Suriname would be played on June 22.
“I am not worried where the return game will be played as I know that the game has to be played. My only concern is that the game must be played even if it is played in Timbuktu. I have also told the players not to worry where it is being played as that is just geography and this is not a geography class. This is football.”
He added:“We are prepared to play against Suriname in Suriname on the 14th June and also against them again on the 22nd irrespective of where the game is played, but the sooner we know where the game is being played, the better it would be for us and our preparations.”
Though he said he would love to see the game played in Guyana, Shabbazz made it clear that that the decision on selecting the venue for the game was not his to make.
“This decision on where the game is played is not in my hands. I am on the outside looking in and hoping for the best, but at the same time. I would love for the game to be played in Guyana as the Guyanese public deserves the right to be the 12th man as supporter for the team,” he said.
“As the saying goes, ‘Charity begins at home’ and it would be an ideal opportunity of seeing their team play at home.”
“I am not in favor of playing this game any other place than Guyana. For a country not to have the possibility of playing a World Cup qualifier at home is a great misfortune. Sports are an avenue to unite people.”
Referring to the unity displayed after Guyana gained her Independence; Shabbaz said that the sport of football can unite the Guyanese people the same way and expressed his delight in seeing that done.
“The same way Independence united Forbes Burnham, Cheddi Jagan and Peter D’Aguiar back on 26th May 1966, I know that football can unite their children and football lovers 42 years later.
“I want to take this opportunity to call on all stakeholders involved in this matter on the decision of a venue for the hosting of the return clash against Suriname on 22nd June to put their heads together for a one Guyana.”
Contacted for a comment captain of the Golden Jaguars Charles ‘Lily’ Pollard declined. Pollard told Stabroek Sport that he was not in a position to make any comment in relation to how the members of the team were being affected by the venue issue.
