– Today’s must-win encounter against old rivals Suriname will serve as a farewell game for four members of the Golden Jaguars team in Charles Pollard, Collie Hercules, Shawn Bishop and Richard Reynolds
Football fans can expect a more determined approach exemplifying discipline and fight when Guyana’s Golden Jaguars oppose their nemesis Suriname in the final Group B match of the Digicel Caribbean Championships (DCC) at the Guyana National Stadium Providence tonight.
This was promised by Technical Director of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Trinidadian Jamaal Shabazz yesterday.
The last time the two teams met at the same venue exactly six weeks ago, Guyana, needing to win by two clear goals to advance to the next round of the FIFA 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa, found themselves two goals down after 45 minutes as Germaine Van Dyck and Clifton Sanduliet struck.
Speaking with Stabroek Sports after his team’s practice session yesterday at the game venue Shabazz said: “Suriname is a different opponent with two very good wingers and an entirely different pedigree than our first round opponents Dominica.
“This game will answer some serious questions about Guyana’s football going forward and is just what we need to evaluate what is necessary in the rebuilding process,” he added.
Against Dominica, which the Jaguars won 3-0 spearheaded by a Nigel ‘Powers’ Codrington’s double (20th and 43rd minutes), there were four debutants with one of them Glenorvan Edmonds, netting in the 36th minute.
“We saw four guys making their debuts and how they perform against an opponent like Suriname will give us a more realistic assessment of their readiness for International games whilst a few players have their intentions of retiring from International football at the end of this tournament, which means that this game against Suriname would be their farewell to Guyana’s football on home soil,” said Shabazz.
According to Shabazz, skipper Charles ‘Lily’ Pollard, striker Collie ‘Hitman’ Hercules, Shawn ‘Fatso’ Bishop and goalkeeper Richard Reynolds, just to name a few have signalled their intentions of retiring from international football at the end of the DCC.
“The next round of matches will be played out of Guyana and these players, namely Hercules, Pollard, Bishop and Reynolds just to name a few, have indicated to me that this game against Suriname would be their farewell game for their country on home soil and they would like to say thanks to those in charge for giving them the opportunity of representing their country in a fabulous way,” Shabazz informed.
He added:“This is an important moment for the changing of the guard, and what better way can the young players become seasoned campaigners if we don’t utilize opportunities like this to expose them in a methodical way?” he asked.
Shabazz is still concerned about the finishing by the Jaguars which he feels can be much better than what was displayed against Dominica.
“Our finishing could be much better, but as in football you do not get everything right as there is no magical formula to ensure that everything is perfect in the perfect timings, but I can promise hard work and total commitment in this game against Suriname leaving the result up to Allah (God) as only he knows the secret of the future.”
With the unavailability of Kayode Mc Kinnon and Edison Gomes, who are still on the injured list, the possibility exists that the same11 that started against Dominica will do so against Suriname.
One area of concern to Shabazz is ball possession and the Jaguars displayed the ability to do so for long periods of time during the game against Dominica stringing together a series of passes with one such move producing Codrington’s second goal.
Hercules did had the opportunity of putting his name on the scorers’ sheet, but missed out by either failing to get a shot off or having his shot saved by Dominica’s custodian Glenson Prince.
But against Suriname, he needs to be on the mark from the opening whistle especially with this being his farewell game.
