By Rawle Toney
With the aim of emulating their 2006 performance in the Digicel Caribbean Championship (DCC) Guyana’s National football team, more popularly known as the Golden Jaguars has begun preparations for the commencement of the second round of the tournament with the goal of reaching the finals in Jamaica.
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) recently short-listed 27 players to start training locally under the watchful eyes of national coach Wayne “Wiggy” Dover and the other members of the GFF’s technical staff.
The locally-based Jaguars will train daily at the Guyana National Service ground until the final squad is selected to join the overseas-based players in Trinidad and Tobago for the second round of the DCC tournament to be held in Trinidad and Tobago from November 5-9.
Guyana will come up against hosts Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and St Kitts in Group ‘H’ of the second round and will be looking to avenge their two previous losses to Trinidad and Tobago and Antigua.
Speaking to Stabroek Sports on Tuesday Dover said that the local players were chosen based on their present performances in local leagues.
A few seasoned players on the national team like Shawn `Fatso’ Bishop, Anthony `Awo’ Abrams, Devon Millington, and Dwight Peters have been included.
Meanwhile, the overseas players, who are based in Trinidad, will assemble on October 30 along with five players who are expected from England.
According to Dover, defensive stand out, John “JP” Rodriguez, who is now based in England will team up with the Newton brothers, Jake and Howard, Shawn “Bubbly” Beveney and Chris Nurse to make the journey to the Caribbean to don national colours.
Rodriguez won the hearts of many Guyanese in his appearance in the 2006 installation of the Digicel Caribbean Cup.
He joined forces with Captain Charles `Lily’ Pollard and Howard Lowe to form what was called the triple tower, since it was difficult for opposing strikers to go through them.
An injury which required surgery, has kept him from playing for Guyana this year and his presence was well missed by Guyana who failed to advance past the second round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Rodriguez, according to Technical Director, Jamaal Shabazz, will be the perfect replacement for the long standing Pollard who is calling it quits after the DCC tournament.
The number of local players who will journey to the Twin Island Republic is unknown. Dover said that they will have to await a word from the Technical Director who is also based in Trinidad.
He is, however, optimistic that the best players would be selected since according to him “failure is not an option.”
Guyana was narrowly booted out of the final stage in the last tournament even though they were the only team to play undefeated in the event and this time will be aiming to advance to the final round set for Jamaica from December 3-12.
Guyana will need to win the group or finish as runners-up if they are to qualify for the finals in Jamaica.
The squad: Goal-keepers: Ronson Williams (Alpha), Shemroy Arthur (Pele) and Keith Fraser (GDF).
Defenders:Kelvin McKenzie, Anthony Harding (Alpha), Devon Dummett, Orlando Gilgeous, Sherwin Cadogan (Sunburst Camptown), Dirk Archer (Pele), Sheik Kamal (GDF), Devon Dennis (Buxton United).
Midfielders:Shawn Bishop, Philbert Moffatt, Emerick Williams, Dwayne Jacobs (Alpha), Shavane Seaforth (Bakewell Topp XX), Dwight Peters, Stellon David (GDF), Glenorvan Edmonds (Santos), Travis Grant (Pele), Delon Williams (Fruta Conquerors).
Strikers: Anthony Abrams, Elton Browne (Alpha), Devon Millington (BK Int. Western Tigers), Kevin Beaton (Bakewell Topp XX), Clive Andries (Buxton United), Delroy Deen (BV Triumph United).
