THE Golden Jaguars departed Guyana last evening for Suriname, where they will play against that country’s national team in an International Friendly tomorrow at the Andre Kampervene Stadium. 

Unlike the team that played against Barbados, St Lucia and Grenada this year that had a heavy blend of overseas players, Shabazz only included Caledonia AIA goal-hungry forward Pernell Shultz along with Canadian Adrian Butters and USA-based Kevin Beaten.
This will be the team’s fourth game of the year, having drawn 2-2 against Barbados in Bridgetown, while picking up 2-0 victories over St Lucia and Grenada at Providence.
Suriname have always been Guyana’s biggest rivals in sport, especially in football with several folklore being told of the battles between the two South American countries.
Tomorrow’s game will see a new-look Suriname unit behind Dutch International and Ajax star Dean Gorré who will coach a team filled with the country’s top players.
More than 100 players with Surinamese roots play professionally in the Dutch leagues and some have historically helped the former colony claim major championships.
A legislation to change the law on nationality and citizenship, allowing players with non-Surinamese passports to represent the country, was passed in the country’s National Assembly, allowing several players who play for Dutch teams to represent Suriname in their World Cup Qualifier in June.
“We recognise that Suriname are a very powerful team and now they have a big coach, big funding and big things going on in their country, in terms of the law changing to facilitate players, playing and living in Holland being able to play for Suriname now. So it’s a big moment for us and them as well,” Shabazz said while addressing the Media at a Press Conference yesterday.
The Trinidadian added, “This is a game if I was based in Guyana, I would want to play; I would want to show that against a big opponent I can play”.
With regard to the composition of the team, going with 15 locally based players as compared to the team that faced Grenada last month that had the likes of English-based Neil Danns and Matthew Briggs, Shabazz pointed that “the Guyana-based players when I look back at the games that we’ve played, we needed these players to get more international minutes, going into the preparation camp against St Vincent”.
“This game gives the opportunity for the Guyana players to get playing minutes. I think the game helps us to prepare for any eventuality because we know in football how things are with the clubs with regard to releasing players and injuries. We will have players who have enough international exposure under their belt so we can use players who were already exposed, although we know all World Cup qualifiers come with a fair share of nerves,” Shabazz said.
With Guyana using the contest to come up with the right combination ahead of June’s World Cup Qualifier against St Vincent and the Grenadines, Shabazz did however note that despite the technical staff keeping a watchful eye on the players, it’s important that they leave Suriname with the victory.
“I think the kind of time and effort we put into the game, we don’t play to lose, we play to get a result and now that we’re playing away, it’s very important,” Shabazz said, while adding “the fact that we have gone with the Guyana-based players shows that we are not afraid because we know Suriname are a force that have made us cry before and likewise, we make them cry as well.”.
“They will be fine-tuning as well because they have the qualifiers at same time and everyone will be using these games for elimination as well,” said Shabazz.
Dwain Jacobs was named captain of the squad that features goalkeeper Derrick Carter (Western Tigers) and Akel Clark (Central FC), defenders Jamaal Smith (Alpha United), Colin Nelson (Slingerz FC), King Solomon Austin (Slingerz FC), Joshua Brown (Slingerz FC), Adrian Butters (Canada) and Kris Camacho.
Vurlon Mills (Slingerz FC), Daniel Wilson (Alpha United), Konata Manning (Alpha United), Clive Nobrega (Slingerz FC), Eon Alleyne (Fruta Conquerors) and Amos Ramsey (GDF) are the midfield players, while Pernell Shultz (Caledonia AIA), Sheldon Holder (Alpha United) and Kevin Beaton (USA) are the forwards.
Shabazz will have Alpha United’s Wayne Dover as his assistant, Andrew Hazel as the goalkeeper/coach, Anson Ambrose (trainer), Trevor Burnett (equipment manager), Beverly Nelson (physiotherapist) and Mark Xavier and Faizal Khan as managers.

By Rawle Toney