… coach Hercules                
GUYANA’S U-20 footballers meet old rivals Suriname later tonight in a key game for both countries as the battle for the final spot to the CONCACAF finals set for April in Guatemala. The CFU’s final group eliminator competition continues at the Franklyn Essed Stadium in Paramaribo today with Bermuda confronting the Netherlands Antilles in the first game at 17:00 h and will be followed by the Suriname-Guyana clash.
The Guyanese who were humbled 3-0 by Bermuda two days ago in their opening game will be hoping for a better performance against the hosts who had little difficulty in putting away the Netherlands Antilles 2-1 in their opening action.
The Guyanese had a light session yesterday at the match venue and according to head coach Collie Hercules the task ahead is a big one, taking into account the loss of key defender Ryan Crandon who was red-carded in last Wednesday’s game.
” It is not easy to rebound from a 3-0 defeat but the fact that our next opponent is our old rival the guys are ready and I expect a much improved performance. I think the guys know that the pitch is no excuse and we must go out and win tonight.
“I expect that we will have some changes in the starting lineup. Trayon Bobb who came on as a sub impressed and young Ramdehol will fill in for the absent Crandon,” Hercules told Chronicle Sport yesterday.
The former national striker admitted that the loss of Crandon will surely hurt the team since together with captain Colin Nelson they have formed a solid duo in the central defence, but was quick to add that young Ramdehol should hold his own.
Guyana were very poor in their ball control and passing and seemed winded early in their opening encounter and after being reduced to ten just before the half never recovered as the midfield led by US-based Brandon Beresford and Bevon Moseley proved no match for their counterparts.
Tonight they face a much smaller-sized unit though the Dutchboys have exhibited confidence and solid technical skills to make up for their less imposing physical strength.
Against Suriname the Guyanese will have to make use of whatever scoring opportunities come their way in attack and be rock-solid in defence if they hope to still be in with a chance of qualifying for the CONCACAF finals.
Another loss will certainly mean goodbye Guatemala for the Guyanese while another win for the home side will keep their hopes alive and set up a final showdown with the Bermudans who are expected to get by the Netherlands Antilles in the first game of the double-header tonight.
The four-team competition will climax on Sunday when Bermuda and the hosts meet at 18:30 h,while in the first game set for 16:30 h Guyana tackle the Netherlands Antilles.