Guyana’s Under-20 Lady Jags will begin their quest to overcome the challenges that will be posed by host team Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago and Puerto Rico when the respective countries collide in the second round of Caribbean qualifying for the 2012 CONCACAF Under-20 Women’s Championship.
The Lady Jags will face Cuba in their first game on Saturday at the Estadio Pedro Marrero Ciudad de La Habana from 15: 00h with T& T and Puerto Rico kicking off group action at 10: 00h at the same venue.
Technical Director of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Women’s Programme, Mark Rodrigues, speaking after the team held a Mini-Camp in Canada stated that they Lady Jags (Seniors) which became the first Guyanese team (male or female) to advance to a CONCACAF finals will continue to make all Guyanese very proud to wave their flags and say “I am Guyanese, I am a Lady Jag-Hear me roar.”
Rodrigues, who has been with the Programme from its inception, noted that whilst the ultimate goal is to advance to the next round, the aim in Cuba is to win the group and advance as the Caribbean threat.
“Winning the group will also give the players the much needed confidence required heading into the CONCACAF Finals in Panama in March. It will force teams to view us differently and play us more cautiously, which we could then use to our advantage.”
The Lady Jags won their first round group which was hosted at the Uitvlugt Community Centre following wins over Antigua and Barbuda 7-0, Anguilla 5-0 and a bruising win over the Dominican Republic 2-1 in a thrilling end to the group.
The squad, under Rodrigues, Coach Chris Brown, GK Coach/ Trainer Ali Tabrizi and Physiotherapist Neena Gupta, recently concluded a Mini Camp in Canada where the younger players, some of whom were part of the senior programme, rubbed shoulders with the seniors Jags.
Rodrigues noted that the Technical Staff have been doing their homework. “I have done a considerable amount of research on our opponents and will be approaching each game with a specific game plan as they all play differently. Cuba has very crafty players especially in midfield. Trinidad relies heavily on speed and attacking from their wide players. Puerto Rico is a very technical team who can punish you if you do not defend as a group.”
“While the Cuba test will be challenging for us, as a unit, and given the challenges we face in preparation and other wise as a smaller nation on a limited budget-belief, pride, passion and an amazing coaching staff will carry us a long way” Rodrigues said.
The squad reads: Justine Rodrigues (Captain), Ashlee Savona, Martyne Alphonso, Simone Busby, Leah Marie Ramalho, Chantal Lynch, Leah Chisolm-Allison, Olivia Gonsalves, Tessa Edwards, Elysia Prasad, Kailey Leila, Kelly Pelz- Butler, Alisha Leila, Esther Frotten, Otesha Charles, and Sara Vaughan.
Technical Staff: Technical Director Mark Rodrigues, Coach Chris Brown, GK Coach/ Trainer Ali Tabrizi, Physiotherapist Neena Gupta.
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