With two difficult matches remaining against Nicaragua and Trinidad and Tobago in their quest to qualify for the Concacaf Women’s Championship, Lady Jaguars’ head-coach Dr. Ivan Joseph said his charges are focused on securing positive results following a perfect start to the campaign.
This was disclosed during a virtual press conference yesterday. According to Joseph, the two aforementioned encounters are expected to be challenging assignments given the quality of the opposition.
He explained, “In my time with the national team, we’ve never beaten Trinidad and Tobago. Nicaragua is a very technical team. They gave Trinidad a run for their money. A very skilled team: they put up 19 goals against Turks, while we were only able to manage seven.”
The Lady Jaguars will resume their campaign against the Nicaraguans April 8th at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora, before ending their group round away to Trinidad and Tobago four days later. Guyana currently sit atop group-F with six points from two matches following a 4-0 victory over Dominica at home and a 7-0 away thrashing of Turks and Caicos.
Joseph noted that while traditional rival Trinidad and Tobago are currently undergoing a transitional period, the team does possess quality in several areas. He expounded, “I can tell you that I’ve watched the Trinidad/Nicaragua game…so we know, let’s say that their left-back is exceptional. We know that in the centre of the park, they’re athletic. We know that Sasha James, with her speed, can create her own goal. So, I know enough of their tendencies to say that we will treat that team with the utmost respect. They are rebuilding, but that coach is very-well organized.”
Presently, the Lady Jaguars have benefitted from the return of stalwarts Kayla DeSouza and Mariam El Masri, individuals who were pivotal in Guyana featuring at the 2010 Gold Cup and 2016 Olympic Qualifying Tournament, to the program.
He affirmed, “You didn’t see Mariam play in the opening game because we’re giving those youths an opportunity. But Mariam is poise on the ball, she brings a silent leadership to the team. She makes people feel like they matter, and they belong. There’s just a sense that when she’s on the field, the team wants to play for her and to play with her.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Joseph further affirmed the importance of local support ahead of the Nicaragua clash, which is essentially a must win encounter.
He declared, “Come out and support us. We want women and young girls to see the highest level of football playing; a game that’s exciting. Football is not only for boys; it’s not only for men, not only for rich millionaires. You’ve got a team that has doctors, lawyers, [and] engineers. People that sell fruits and water on the streets, people who are just trying to get a head and are making a name for themselves. And you can tell them their sacrifices are worth it by showing up and cheering them on.”
Only the winner of the group will progress to the Concacaf W Champion-ship. The tournament also serves as the qualifiers for the 2023 FIFA World Cup.
