The Guyana Football Federation [GFF] Saturday named their 20-man squad for the CONCACAF U18 Championship in Florida, United States of America (USA) next month.
The squad included eight overseas players, seven of which are overseas born.
“The international-based players, from reports, have been consistent in their performances in their respective clubs and that should auger well for Guyana’s participation in this tournament,” said Wayne Dover, head coach of the squad.
“The goalkeeper (Jonathan Vaughn) has been doing great, we know Jeremy Garrett for his sterling performance throughout the years and Bevan (Baker) is a young and upcoming talent who has shown consistent performances in this year’s College season,” Dover added
Dover also spoke of the prospects of defender Kwai Marsh Brown who plies his trade at Bolton Wanderers FC.
“Marsh- Brown is coming from Arsenal’s Youth Academy and is currently playing for Bolton Wanderers in the English set-up, so more than likely, he should bring a level of professionalism to the team. (Michael) Luke is a towering attacking-minded player and (Hudson) Hazelwood will definitely add strength and dynamism to the team while (Thair) Britton, who has been part of the national programme before, will add firepower to the frontline.”
Dover also reflected on the preparation of the squad, which played a number of warm up games against local teams.
“During the past six weeks of preparation, we gave it our best to enable the team a chance to compete, win games and possibly progress to the next level. In the modern game of football, every team stands a chance to qualify based on who is more disciplined on match day and makes fewer mistakes. We are going to be optimistic and try our best to focus throughout the tournament.”
The players selected for the event which will be held from November 1st-22nd are Goalkeepers Jonathan Vaughn [Overseas/1st Dezembro], Jamaine Cumberbatch [Den Amstel], Defenders Cecil Jackman [Fruta Conquerors], Ryan Hackett [Fruta Conquerors], Michael Luke [Overseas/FGSU], Nixon Robertson [Buxton United], Jeremy Garrett [LSU of Alexandria], Lionel Holder [Santos], Kwai Marsh-Brown [Overseas/Bolton Wanderers], Midfielders Jalen Case [Overseas/Sir Wilfred Laurier University], Kelsey Benjamin [Western Tigers], Nicholas McArthur [Fruta Conquerors], Hudson Hazlewood [Overseas/Dunlap High School], Ryan Dowding [Santos], Raushan Ritch [Fruta Conquerors], Bevan Baker [Overseas/JWU], Job Caesar [Fruta Conquerors] and Forwards Thair Britton [Global Premier Soccer International Academy], Leon Richardson [Fruta Conquerors] and Chris Macey [Den Amstel].
Guyana will faceoff with Guatemala at 10:30hrs in their opening clash on November 2nd, before battling Cayman Islands four days later.
They will then oppose Curacao from 12:45hrs in the third matchup on November 8th, before concluding their group campaign on November 10th against El Salvador from 19:45hrs.
O’Neil Heywood of Den Amstel FC will act as the assistant coach. The other members of the management staff are Gregory Richardson [striker coach], Vurlon Mills [In Possession Coach], Anthony Belfield [Out of Possession Coach], Phillip Carrington [Goalkeeper Coach], Wilson Toledo [Coach Developer & Head of Sports Science], Dr. Alex Hawkins [Team Doctor], Denzel Hernandez [Physiotherapist], Asser Lutu [Performance Analyst & Head Scout], Team Operations Coordinator [Daniel Thomas] and Travis Moore [Equipment Manager].
