After a prolonged period of secrecy, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) on Wednesday released an 18-man squad for Senior National Men’s team International Friendly against Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca Warriors at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago.
Among the three locally based players invited for the Golden Jaguars are the experienced Dwain Jacobs and Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson while the other is Anthony Benfield.
The other 15 comprise four debutants including Kadell Daniel, Devonte Small, Daniel Jodah and Jelani Smith.
Golden Jaguars Goalkeepers: Akel Clarke Goalkeeper (North East Star FC), Andrew Durant (San Juan Jabloteh FC); Defenders: Christopher Bourne (Islington Admiral United FC), Jake Newton (Walton & Hersham FC), Jelani Smith (Sigma FC), Samuel Cox (Wealdstone FC), Terence Vancooten (Stevenage FC); Mid-fielders: Brandon Beresford (Rochester Rhinos), Warren Creavalle ( Philadelphia Union), Dwain Jacobs ( Police FC), Anthony Benfield ( Alpha United FC), Kadell Daniel (Dover Athletic FC) Daniel Jodah (Sigma FC); Forwards: Shaquille Agard (Durham United FC), Emery Welshman (Puerto Rico Islanders), Sheldon Holder ( Caledonia), Gregory Richardson (Pele FC), Devonte Small (Reynir FC)
Management: Rawle Adams (Team Manager), Wayne Dover (Head Coach) Charles ( Pollard Assistant Coach), Lyndon France (Physical Trainer), Eon DeVeira (Goalkeeper Coach), Denzil Hernandez (Physio), Trevor Burnett (Kit Manager).
Commenting on the squad, Wayne Dover, Interim Head Coach expressed confidence of the team doing well.
“One of the four additions is a young, talented Central Defender – Smith,” Dover said. “We have been short of Central Defenders as of recent and although we have identified talent, the likes of Jeremy Garrett and Cecil Jackman, who will emerge as leading defenders in the future, we’ll focus on using the new-found talent for the Trinidad game,” he added. Daniel, while new to the senior national team, played at the national U-23 level in an Olympic qualifier some years ago.
Looking ahead to the Trinidad game, Dover said: “We are expecting a very tough game where Trinidad will bring it to us especially since they’re coming off from a 2-1 victory against the United States. They should be confident but we’re preparing for that. We will try to give a good account of ourselves, give a good match and get a positive result.”
Meanwhile, a 24-man locally-based squad began training from November 5, as Guyana also travels to Indonesia for another International Friendly on the November 25.
Dover said this squad will be available for selection, he is pleased with the attendance thus far and the players have shown a commitment to fitness, which is one of the critical areas.
“Fitness is currently our number one priority. Analysis of our previous match against Grenada revealed a number of areas in the team’s performance that can be improved. Such areas included our crossing ability and our execution of combination play. Nevertheless, we have used this knowledge to develop a new training regimen.
While some of the selected players travel to Trinidad, the others will remain as a unit with identified coaches.
“Bryan Joseph and Lyndon France will remain to work with players who are not selected and, in so doing, provide them with an opportunity to improve their fitness and understanding of tactics. This will improve their chances of being selected for the subsequent Indonesian International Friendly,” Dover said.
The overseas-based players, who are all in peak shape from playing in on-going seasonal matches with their respective clubs, will join the locally-based team members in Trinidad.
