… change in venue for games
GUYANA’S dream of reaching their second Digicel Caribbean Cup finals will continue this afternoon in Trinidad & Tobago when they meet Haiti in the opening game of the Group ‘F’ second round competition. Since their arrival in ‘Soca Warriors’ land on Sunday the Guyanese have had two sessions, with the latest being yesterday afternoon at the Johnny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella where all the games will now be played.
The change in venue from the Hasely Crawford Stadium is due to the recent persistent rains in the Island.
The Guyana’s startling line-up for today’s game will not include regular starters, defender JP Rodrigues or left midfielder Walter Moore, who both accumulated two yellow cards in the first round played in Suriname last month and consequently have been suspended for this afternoon’s match.
“This will not be a setback and will underline the strength and depth of the team,” coach Wayne ‘Wiggy’ Dover told Chronicle Sport, yesterday, from the Crown Plaza Hotel in Port of Spain.
“This team is well balanced and has great depth so having to leave out JP and Walter is not a problem because we have quality replacements. In Suriname when JP indicated that he will arrive late for the first game the former National captain Charles Pollard filled the void admirably and showed he still has what it demands at the International level. His vast experience in T&T’s conditions is also an asset.
“As for Walter, the seasoned Dwain Jacobs will take up that position at left midfield while Dwight Peters will play the right side where Jacobs usually play,” Dover stated.
U.S.-based Sean Cameron of the Miami FC, Puerto Rico’s Islanders’ Chris Nurse, T&T-based Shawn Beveney and Western Tigers’ Dwain Ali will compete for the other two positions in the four-man midfield with Devon Millington and Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams expected in attack.
The rock solid defence will be marshalled by captain Howard Lowe with Pollard in the middle, while English-based Jake Newton will take up position on the right back and on the opposite it will be Chris Bourne. Ronson Williams, one of five Alpha United players expected to be in the starting X1, will protect the citadel.
The Haitians, who won the second edition of the Digicel Cup with a 2-1 victory over T&T in 2007 and were the first Caribbean Island to qualify for a World Cup finals in 1974, are on a course of slow recovery since earthquake devastated the Island in January of this year.
Several football officials, including the top coach perished in the disaster.
President of the Haitian Football Federation, Jean Bart arrived in T&T along with the team on Saturday and said they hope to do well so as to restore some hope in the people at home and restore some pride to their rich football pedigree.
The Frenchmen will be no pushover for the in-form and confident Guyanese who are the number two-rated side in the Region. This, however, is of no concern to coach Dover. Football is played on the pitch and it is who delivers and wants it more will always come out on top.
“We are not worried about Haiti’s football success. We have a game at hand and like I have been saying we have our goals set on reaching the Finals and we are ready for action,’ the coach reminded.
Guyana and Haiti have not met at the senior International level since 1973 when the French prevailed in a two-match series played in Guyana and though none of the present players was born at that time they are quite aware of this history.
With revenge very much on their minds Guyana are aiming to avenge the 37-year-old hurt the nation has endured. The game is set to kick-off at 17:00 h and will be followed by St Vincent and the Grenadines against the hosts at 19:00 h.