… seven overseas-based players included
THE Technical Committee of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has named a 28-man squad, including seven overseas-based players, who will be vying for places on the final team to contest the Caribbean Football Union/Olympic Qualifying competition later this month. Preparations have already commenced with most of the players included and playing in the squad that took on Barbados’ senior team in three matches and the lone encounter against Bradley University of the USA. The Guyana team recorded three wins and a draw against host Barbados – having won the two games here (Guyana) played in Linden and at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, while they also defeated Bradley University in Barbados.
The Guyanese will be taking on host Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Aruba in Group C qualifying matches from June 23 to 27, with only the group winner advancing to the CFU final stage which will be played from November 21 to 29, along with the winners of groups A, B and D respectively.
The teams in the other groups are: Group A (Jamaica, Bermuda, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Suriname), Group B (Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Netherland Antilles and Dominica) and Group D (Haiti, Antigua and Barbuda, St Lucia and St Kitts and Nevis).
The top two from this stage will advance to the CONCACAF finals and encampment is expected to commence today with sessions held twice daily from tomorrow until the time of departure for Cuba on June 21.
Following is the list of players invited: Richie Richards, Brian Robinson, Odel Allicock and Dorvil Stewart (goalkeepers), Colin Nelson, Ryan Crandon, Keron Sullivan and Quincy Adams (central defenders), Chris Camacho, Kelon Cameron, Travis Henry, Trevon Lythcott (right side defence), Clive Nobrega, Brandon Beresford, Elson Miggins, Les-Charles Critchlow, Daniel Wilson, Paul Bobb and Anthony Holder (central midfield), William Europe and Eon Alleyne (left side midfield), Leonardo Adams and Kevon Barry (right side midfield), Anani Mohammed, Dwayne Lawrence, Sheldon Holder, Telson McKinnon, Manasseh Primo and Kevin Beaton (forward).
Paul Bender will head the technical team as the coach of the team, with former national forward Collie Hercules serving as his assistant, while Andrew Hazel, Michelle Jackman, Herbert McPherson and Rawle Adams will execute the duties of goalkeeping coach, physiotherapist, equipment manager and team manager respectively.