……….action kicks-off today
HEAD Coach of Guyana’s national U-20 football team, Gordon ‘Ultimate’ Braithwaite expressed confidence in his side on the eve of the start of the Concacaf Group Qualifiers to be staged here in Guyana. The dreadlocked former national captain told Chronicle Sport that despite the inadequate preparations the team is ready to represent Guyana, “Preparations were much too short, however we are playing at home and the players are hungry and eager to showcase their talents. Once we play to our full potential I don’t see any reason why we can’t qualify’.
Guyana will begin their campaign against the US Virgin Islands at seven tonight after the opening match which will feature group favorite Jamaica and Grenada, starting at 17.00h
‘Jamaica is certainly the team to beat in the group but we are taking each game at a time and not underestimating any side. Tonight we must start out explosively so as to set the tone for the remaining games. Like I said the team is confident.
We have a great team spirit going and my assistant, Coach O’jeer has been of great assistance. I can honestly say that over the short period we have been together we have really jelled as a unit” Braithwaite declared.  
The Guyanese Youth footballers had their only real test two weeks ago when they held T&T to a goal-less draw at the National Stadium, but since then the Coaching staff have been working on the defensive organisation and cohesiveness in attack
. According to Coach Braithwaite “We have been able to rectify our short comings and are ready to go. We look forward to more great home support like we had against T&T. Once we can get that kind of support we will be more inspired to win”.
“The composition of the side is a well balanced one and do possess talent. The side also possesses tremendous fighting spirit. Captain Colin Nelson who plays the central defense is a true leader and inspiration to the side”.
Coach Braithwaite also mentioned forward Olvis Mitchell of Rosignol United and the giant-sized Ryan Crandon of Milerock who teams up in the middle defense with his skipper, wide midfielder Eon Alleyne and goalkeeper Richie Richards formerly of Camptown FC and now of Alpha United as the players with the experience who can propel Guyana to the next stage.
Utility man Les Charles Critchlow of Buxton United and midfieldres Marco Marcus of Pele FC, Garson Baker of Rosignol United, Andel Norton of Bartica and Brooklyn’s Nicolas Parbudhial have also had exposure at the CFU U-17 Tournament played in T&T two years ago.
The nippy Parbudhial scored the winner for Guyana against Barbados and a lot is expected of him. The other Brooklynite in the squad is former Top xx forward Kevin Beaton.
Coach Braithwaite also revealed that he received valuable assistance from Guyanese born Tony de Rosario an ‘A’ Licensed Coach of Canada and Puerto Rican Goalkeeping Coach Jorge Alberto. The Goalkeeping coach of the side is Andrew ‘Flower’ Hazel and the Manager is Aubrey Hutson.

The full Guyana U-20 squad is : GOALKEEPERS- Richie Richards (Alpha Utd.),Dervil Stewart(Riddim Squad) and Roncy Caleb (Rosignol Utd.); DEFENDERS- (Captain) Colin Nelson (Western Tigers), Ryan Crandon (Milerock), Deshawn Joseph (Netrockers), Trenton Lashley (Top XX), Keoma Sullivan (Buxton Utd.) and Les Charles Critchlow (Buxton Utd.); MIDFIELDERS – Bevon Moseley (Western Tigers),garson Baker (Rosignol Utd.), Marco Marcus (Pele FC), Eon Alleyne (Conquerors), Trayon Bobb (Uitvlugt FC) and Nicolas Parbudhial (Brooklyn)and FORWARDS-Telston McKinnon (Army), Sheldon Holder (Pele FC),Kevin Beaton (Brooklyn), Olvis Mitchell (Rosignol Utd.) and Andel Norton (Liquid Gold).