STRIKER Carl Cort, the brother of Leon Cort who scored the historic winning goal versus Trinidad and Tobago last November to propel Guyana into its current position in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, is hoping to make an impression when the Golden Jaguars tackle Jamaica in an international friendly action this evening at the Montego Bay Sports Complex. The 34-year-old Cort has played in the top level of English football since his professional career began in 1996.
His stints include spells at Newcastle United, Wimbledon FC, Norwich City, Wolverhampton Wanderers along with 14 caps for England Under-21 in 1997/98, where he played alongside current England and Liverpool FC captain Steven Gerrard.
During his days as a Newcastle player in the 2002/03 season he had the distinction of playing in the UEFA Champions League, where in one game he was an unused substitute at the Nou Camp versus a Barcelona team that included players such a Patrick Kluivert, Xavi Hernandez and Carlos Puyol in its ranks.
However, due to injuries the 6-foot, 4-inch tall front man has not donned colours of the national side since Guyana’s final second round world cup qualifier versus Trinidad at Hasely Crawford Stadium, on November 15, 2011.
With his young brother already writing his name into the annals of Guyana’s football history, Cort is hoping the Jamaica clash, which will be his third national cap once he plays, can be the stage where his goal-scoring prowess, finally makes a mark for the Jaguars.
“It feels good to be back amongst the national set-up after this lay-off. When I first came down and played those two games against Trinidad and Tobago late last year, I wasn’t 100% due to a hamstring injury I got during a game with my then club AFC Wimbledon.
“So in a way I sort of aggravated it by playing and I have spent the last few months basically training and trying to get myself back to a fitness level that I’m satisfied with,” explained Cort.
Cort further noted that he has been in talks with clubs from China and Thailand and North American Soccer League clubs, but has not made a commitment to any the offers to date.
Along with China and Thailand, the newly booming Asian football league market in countries such as Qatar, United Arab Emirates and India has in recent times attracted notable world stars who are at the back end of their careers like Cort; such as Nicolas Anelka, Robert Pires, Robbie Fowler, Hernan Crespo and Raul Gonzalez to name a few.
After the Jamaica friendly, the Jaguars face Panama in Panama City on May 20, before going into camp ahead of their opening third round, world cup qualifier versus CONCACAF powerhouse Mexico on June 8 at the Estadio Azteca.
While articulating his eagerness to test himself against Jamaica, he is already looking forward to facing the Rafael Marquez-skippered ‘El Tricolor’ unit, which is currently ranked 20th in the world according to the FIFA rankings.
“The Jamaica game is about quality opposition, as I would have hoped to test myself against on return I would say. I played a lot against Ricardo Fuller and Marlon King in English football so it would be great from that standpoint to renew some old acquaintances.
“It would have been great if the full-strength Guyana team was on show no doubt, but it opens a chance for some of the younger players to get a look in,” Cort reasoned.
He concluded by saying:”It’s important that in the next few weeks, our preparation is good and everyone is in the right frame of mind. Playing Mexico at home will be a great occasion for me and the entire squad, but it will also be a very difficult game against a top class team so we have to be ready for anything they throw at us.”