Following the opening session of the two-day physical evaluation for members of the Golden Jaguars locally based contingent, head-coach Marcio Maximo confirmed that training for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers officially commences tomorrow at the National Training Centre, Providence.
This was disclosed during an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sport. According to the experienced tactician, “The sessions started yesterday and we will finalize the evaluations tomorrow (today) and Tuesday we start official training. I am satisfied and don’t see anyone out of form. Visually the players are in reasonable shape and now we are back to a competitive level and now we have to maximize the training and intensify the training especially the physical part. Next week, we include the physical but more technical and tactical parts.”
The Golden Jaguars local contingent was initially unable to commence preparation for the prestigious World Cup qualifiers on Saturday at the Providence based training facility, as results from the COVID-19 testing phase for several players were yet to be received by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF).
Some 32 players and 10 staff members were tested by medical personnel from the Ministry of Health. The players tested were Goalkeepers Alex Murray, Sese Norville, Shawn Adonis, Defenders Raphael Edwards, Sherwin Skeete, Jeremy Garrett, Eric Moore, Shemar Wilson, Colin Nelson, Quincy Adams, Kevin Dundas, Nicolai Andrews, Rishaun Ritch, Lionel Holder, Trevon Lythcott, Midfielders Daniel Wilson, Marcus Wilson, Curtez Kellman, Threvon Pluck, Kersey Benjamin, Delwin Fraser, Pernell Schultz, Ryan Hackett, Trayon Bobb, Omari Glasgow, Dorwin George, Nicholas MacArthur, Darron Niles, Jamar Harrigon, Job Caesar, Forwards Sheldon Holder and Abumuchi Benjamin.
Upon the conclusion of the physical evaluations, training will be held under strict safety protocols with weekly COVID-19 tests planned to monitor the health of the respective groups for the duration of the preparatory period.
Maximo revealed that he was pleased with the dedication of the players.
“I like the commitment of the players. We are very happy with that. Our manager did a great job as no one didn’t miss any of the evaluation, he did a good job to contact players and tomorrow (today) we will finish the physical sessions and Tuesday we will be back to normal training.”
He added, “I am very happy with the attendance, everyone came as it was around 30 players from different regions. Before we start any training we need to have that commitment. The internationals are excited to come and train and the locals know what is ahead and that we have better days ahead of us. In any job you need commitment and before you implement anything you need the commitment of the players and I am proud of what we saw from the players.”
According to Maximo, “Everyone is in the same situation except that Trinidad and Tobago has been training for a while. We have to adapt to the situation and maximize the time we have. This week we will focus on physical conditioning, the second week we will introduce tactics and technical training as we should prepare like pre-season training,”
The Guyanese were drawn in group-F in the first stage of the Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers, a pool which contains traditional rival Trinidad and Tobago, St. Kitts and Nevis, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas. Guyana will open their campaign away to Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday March 25th, before hosting the Bahamas on March 30th.
In their third match, Guyana will travel to St. Kitts and Nevis for Friday June 4th before ending their group round at home on Tuesday June 8th against Puerto Rico. Upon the conclusion of the first round, the second stage will consist of the respective group winners facing off in a home and away series during the latter stages of June. Winner of group-A will oppose group-F, whilst group-B battles group-E and group-C engages ground-D.
The eventual victors will advance to the final round in September which will consist of eight teams. Following the conclusion of the final round, the top three teams will qualify to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The fourth placed finisher will contest the Confederation Playoff. Guyana’s best showing in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers occurred in the 2014 edition, as they romped to the third stage of qualifying. This is the penultimate section of the confederation’s qualification process.
Brazilian Máximo was appointed as the Interim Head-Coach for the 2019-2020 CONCACAF Nations League effective August 21st 2019, after incumbent Michael Johnson officially tendered his resignation from the post effective on August 13th. Maximo possesses over 30 years of knowledge at the national and club levels and is the holder of a CONMEBOL (South American Football Confederation) Pro License.
