Belize game great opportunity for local players

—says Golden Jaguars assistant coach Pollard

Charles Pollard
Charles Pollard

Golden Jaguars Assistant Coach Charles ‘Lily’ Pollard says that local players have a fantastic opportunity to prove themselves ahead of the final squad selection for the CONCACAF Nations League clash with Belize later this month.

“Thumbs up to the GFF – this is a massive camp for these local guys. It gives them the right chance and opportunity to be part of the programme and the history that is about to be made for Guyana. Times gone by, we always called these local players a week before and tried to get them fit which we know is impossible for footballers. Thumbs up to the GFF for this long 8 to 10-week preparation,” said Pollard.

Guyana will faceoff with 13th placed Belize at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora in a must-win clash in the CONCACAF Nations League on March 23.

Victory for the local side would effectively clinch their maiden 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup berth. Guyana currently sits in eighth place on six points.

“I told the guys I wish I could come out of retirement. I think this pitch is the best thing to prepare on. I played for Guyana for many years and we never had this kind of pitch to prepare on with portable goals and a marked field. This is the exact pitch the players need to train on,” Pollard added.

“These players could get the opportunity for scouts to look at them on an international level. Guyana’s ratings will go up to the next level. And it’s an opportunity to get the scouts to come into Guyana and to look at some of our local games. I think (after the Gold Cup) they will be curious to come and see what is going on here,” he said of the significance of playing against Belize.

According to the former national centre-half, “Guyana has always been a footballing country – when we get international games, there is no doubt about the crowd. It is important that the crowd come out and support the country. It will be a tough game. It is a game that, for both teams, will decide their success towards the Gold Cup. We need desire. We need fire in our belly. We can’t just turn up and play and think we are home. It is a man’s game. We need to toughen up. All I am asking them is to toughen up.”

Pollard revealed that the local contingent has impressed during the sessions.

“I couldn’t ask more from the guys. Their attitude is great – they are willing to accept all the information coming towards them and they are willing to put in 100 percent.”

“It was always a pleasure for me to play for Guyana. Now I’m on the other side of the fence and the same commitment is there. I’m willing to share my knowledge and my dedication is still 100 percent,” he declared.