Lady Jags in David vs Goliath battle tonight in Texas … Guyana open CONCACAF Olympic Qualifier against Canada
The Lady Jags at the BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas
The Lady Jags at the BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas

By Rawle Toney in Houston Texas

DAVID versus Goliath, one of the well-known stories in the Bible, is applicable in the case of Guyana, as the Lady Jags take on Canada tonight at the BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas when Group ‘B’ of the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifier tournament gets on the way at 19:30hrs (21:30hrs GY time).Coach Mark Rodrigues’ team recently moved two places up the FIFA World Rankings to 89 while their opposition are placed at #11, but, as some may say, sometimes rankings don’t matter on the pitch, but rather who turn up to play big on ‘the’ night.

In contrast, however, Canada will enter tonight’s game as the clear favourites, especially taking into consideration that the last time the two met (in the 2010 Gold Cup in Cancun, Mexico), the

Canada captain and all-time leading goalscorer Christine Sinclair
Canada captain and all-time leading goalscorer Christine Sinclair

Guyanese women went down 8-0 in an inspiring performance nonetheless.
But, in all fairness to the Ashley Rodrigues-captained team, they were young and came up against a Canadian squad, led by Christine Sinclair who went on to lead her country to their second CONCACAF Gold Cup title that year (2010).
In women’s football, Sinclair is the equivalent to a Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi of world football. In 230 appearances for both club and country, Sinclair has scored 158 goals – only the USA’s Abby Wambach has scored more goals all-time (255 appearances, 184 goals).
However, a proven tactician of the game and oftentimes praised for his success with Lady Jags, coach Rodrigues has assembled a squad predominantly featuring the same players that helped Guyana to play at their first CONCACAF tournament (the men team are yet to feature).
“The players are extremely excited and honoured to be on the same stage as a powerhouse like Canada, Guatemala and Trinidad. They will give them their due respect but they sincerely believe that they can compete,” said Rodrigues in a recent interview with Chronicle Sport.
Rodrigues also said that he welcomes the team’s ‘underdog’ status at the tournament where they are debutantes, along with Puerto Rico.
“This is a new era of the Lady Jags. One that is more focused and committed, who understand the level of fitness that is required to compete, are more mature and experienced. They are determined to show and prove their worth as Guyanese,” Rodrigues said.
Guyana didn’t get to play any friendly matches since their 2-1 win over Jamaica to finish third in the CFU Qualifiers in Trinidad last year, with the US-based coach telling this newspapers that “understanding what you have to work with, the limited time with the players, little or no finances and resources, only highlight any success – as limited as it may be to some, even more: We are already successful”.
Coach Rodrigues’ roster reads: Chante Sandiford, Simone Busby, Ruth George (GK), Defenders: Julia Gonsalves, Kelly Pelz-Butler, Justine Rodrigues, Briana DeSouza, Bria Williams, Leah-Marie Ramalho, Kayla DeSouza.
Midfielders: Mariam El-Masri, Alison Heydorn, Ashley Rodrigues (C), Kailey Leila, Ashlee Savona, Dana Bally, Olivia Gonsalves, Brittany Persaud and Forwards: Calaigh Copland and Otesha Charles.
Clement Brown will serve as Rodrigues’ assistant; along with goalkeeping coach Richard Reynolds, Sheron Abrams as manager and physiotherapist David Lawrence.
The United States have won the past three tournaments that determine the Olympic representatives from CONCACAF, and went on to win the gold medal in the last three Olympics.

 

 

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