Golden Jaguars aiming for victory in CONCACAF Nations League opener

Part of the action in the Golden Jaguars training camp in Trinidad and Tobago ahead of their League ‘B’ campaign in the CONCACAF Nations League
Part of the action in the Golden Jaguars training camp in Trinidad and Tobago ahead of their League ‘B’ campaign in the CONCACAF Nations League

The Golden Jaguars senior men’s program, will commence its League ‘B’ campaign in the CONCACAF Nations League this evening against Montserrat at the Felix Sanchez Olympic Stadium, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, from 19:30hrs.

The fixture will be the first ever competitive meeting between the nations. Guyana, currently ranked 174th by FIFA, announced its final 24-member roster for the clash on Wednesday, with 10 overseas-born players featuring in the final cut. Montserrat is ranked 178.

Scenes from the Golden Jaguars training camp which was held in Trinidad and Tobago as part of its preparation for the League ‘B’ campaign in the CONCACAF Nations League

The team, which is coached by Trinidad and Tobago native, Jamaal Shabazz, comprises goalkeepers – Alex Murray, Quillan Roberts [overseas], and Akel Clarke; defenders – Leo Lovell, Sam Cox [overseas], Quincy Adams, Jalen Jones [overseas], Jeremy Garrett, Marcus Wilson, and Matthew Briggs [overseas]; Midfielders –  Ryan Hackett, Daniel Wilson, Nathan Moriah-Welsh [overseas], Clive Nobrega, Anthony Jeffrey [overseas], Neil Danns [overseas], and Job Caesar; and forwards – Trayon Bobb, Omari Glasgow, Kelsey Benjamin, Terell Ondaan [overseas], Pernell Schultz, Stephen Duke-McKenna [overseas], and Tre Medford [overseas].

The team, which intensified its preparation for the tournament with a training camp in the twin-island republic of Trinidad and Tobago, was drawn in group ‘B’ of League ‘B’ in the CONCACAF Nations League. Guyana (ranked 21st by CONCACAF), has been drawn with the likes of Haiti (7th), Bermuda (19th), and Montserrat (27th).

Guyana will host Bermuda and Haiti on June 7th and 11th respectively, at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora, before returning to the Dominican Republic for the return fixture against Haiti on the 14th.

The Guyanese ended their inaugural Nations League campaign with a record of three wins, two losses and a draw. The Golden Jaguars defeated Aruba [4-2, 1-0], as well as Antigua and Barbuda [5-1]. However, they suffered defeats against Jamaica [0-4] and Antigua and Barbuda [1-2]. Guyana recorded a draw against Jamaica [1-1].

Guyana in their previous five completed international friendlies, ended with a record of two wins, two losses, and a draw. The Guyanese defeated French Guiana 2-1, and Barbados 5-0, but lost to Suriname and French Guiana by an identical 1-2 scoreline. They also drew with Trinidad and Tobago 1-1.