Joseph confident of National Under-15s’ success

Head Coach of the National Under-15 football team, Bryan Joseph expressed confidence that the young recruits could do well on the island of Saint Martin when they play in the SOUALIGA Tournament.

The SQUALIGA Tournament is serving as part of the national team’s preparatory activity for the CONCACAF U-15 tournament scheduled for August.

Joseph, in speaking to Guyana Times International Sport prior to the team departing, explained that given the performances in French Guiana last December and the constant camps, they   had a very good chance of reaching the semi-finals or even the finals. Their last four-day camp ended on Wednesday ahead of today’s (Thursday) departure.

Likewise, the skipper, Joshua Braithwaite said it was a great feeling to lead the national team as it gave him a chance to “lead from the front” and fulfil “one of his goals”.

Braithwaite expressed optimism over his team’s chances in the SOUALIGA Tournament. “I expect the team to win this time as we’ve been together for a long time. This is the fourth camp that the national programme has had for us and I think this time, we won’t be having any excuse; I think we should win this time.”

The squad includes players from six of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)-Scotiabank Academy Training Centres (ATCs) – Region One (1); Georgetown (6); East Demerara (7); East Bank Demerara (2); Bartica (1); Berbice (5) and Rupununi (3). There are three goalkeepers, seven defenders, eight midfielders and seven forwards.

Also included in the squad is U-13 player Kamani Milne, a forward from the Berbice ATC, as well as Ronaldo Rodrigues, Troni Semple and the appointed captain.

Rodrigues, who hails from Santa Rosa, Moruca, said he was proud to be participating in his first international assignment. He also said his community, which has been very supportive of him, was happy following his first camp in April 2017.

Meanwhile, Semple, who hails from the East Coast ATC and plays for Buxton United FC, is on his third national outing, having represented at both the U-15 and U-17 levels respectively. He spoke about the benefits of the continuous encampment conducted by the GFF Technical Department and how it has helped him to develop his game.

The squad, which is managed by Coach Joseph, who is assisted by Challus Mc Kinnon, will be reduced to a 16-man travelling team following encampment.

The SOUALIGA Tournament will feature nine other territories, including Anguilla, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Tortola, Barbados, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and St Thomas.

The final 16-man squad is yet to be realised.