WITH their third loss by a 2-3 margin to El Salvador on Tuesday September 11, 2012 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, this was preceded by earlier losses to Costa Rica and Mexico by 0-4 and 1-3 at home and away respectively. In addition to a solitary point away, following a 2-2 draw against El Salvador, our senior national football team was left occupying the cellar on one point from four matches and an unimpressive goal difference of -seven, scoring five goals (one-defence error) while conceding 12. So, in actuality with each of the other three teams in Group B having two matches remaining to play. Guyana’s chance of advancing to the next round in the qualifiers remains a “fleeting illusion to be pursued but never attained”.

Moreover, when it’s taken into serious consideration that next month’s two  remaining matches are against Costa Rica and Mexico, away and at home (possibly) in that respective order, since public perception entails the Mexicans are paying a hefty sum to play the match, in the USA. With both teams handing Guyana their worst defeats what can one expect? The Mexicans with an unsurpassable 12 points, out of the maximum 18, with four wins from a similar amount of matches and a goal difference of six are already assured of a place in the round. This leaves the second-placed El Salvador on five points, and a goal difference of zero, along with Costa Rica, who have four points and a goal difference of +one battling for the other spot.
 In essence, where is the mathematical possibility of Guyana advancing to the next round? In both remaining matches, it must entail two wins, resulting in an additional six points which would propel the Golden Jaguars to seven points. While not conceding an additional goal(s) and scoring a phenomenal amount of 14 goals; firstly, surpassing the unbeaten group leaders current tally of five goals. A single victory for El Salvador would carry them to eight points, thus eliminating Guyana, with the Costa Ricans having yet still in with a chance of  securing four points (minimum) a win and a draw to also end up on eight points, with two wins they can finish on 10 points.
With sports no longer being a fun thing but rather serious business and definitely not an armchair or auxiliary room style of administration! I must commend the bold initiative the locals’ head coach Brother Jamal Shabbaz made publicly. Quote. “The mistakes that are made at the Caribbean level with no punishment, cannot be made at a higher level and go unpunished”. Unquote. Within this context it still befuddles my mind as a paying spectator to visualise custodian, Richard Reynolds not taking command of his territory; the six- metre and 18-metre area which was evident against Bolivia (friendly) and El Salvador both away and at home. By the way, is there a problem with the first choice goalkeeper Ronson Williams? In my estimation, the GFF owes the public an explanation! And with left back Walter Moore’s likeness for overlapping aided by an extremely poor mode of recovery, This particular weakness would also continue to be exploited by the opponents, with either the defensive midfielder, or the first back  having to shift over and cover, which still leaves a gap open in the middle, that should be filled by the left back.
Has it caught the coaching staff’s attention that most of the goals Guyana have conceded, were scored from the left side, or from a left flank cross? In a previous letter captioned “Golden Jaguars Coaching Staff Must Address Tactical and Technical Deficiencies Hastily”, I had alluded to the fact that “defensive maestro”, Charles “Lilly” Pollard, should be utilised as a defensive midfielder operating within a radius of 30 metres; providing coverage to the three defenders preceding the sweeper. Nevertheless, when the aged and experienced Pollard featured in both matches against El Salvador, The Golden Jaguars, secured their only point to date; scored four goals, while conceding five for a goal difference of -1. Without Pollard Guyana, was pointless conceding 7 goals, scoring 1 (own goal/defence error) for a goal difference of -6. Analyze the comparison? With a disjointed midfield, tactical and technical deficiencies still exist!
Finally, the coaching staff mustn’t be blamed entirely for the three defeats, while ignoring the most important component which is the administrative arm, the Guyana Football Federation. Wherein the area of goalkeeping locally leaves much to be desired! With Reynolds being #2 to Williams in Alpha. Name five other clubs in the national league, that have two goalkeepers who are up to required standard. Further, apart from Travis “Zorro” Grant, how many other creative midfielders are around to the required national standard, while not foregoing other areas of play? With a lull of activity within Georgetown, compounded by the conclusion of the national league, what would be the yardstick for selection of the pro-local based senior national team, for participation in the Caribbean Cup? And where would the equitable replacements for Reynolds, Pollard and others within that age group come from? Sad, to say, with no structured developmental plan in place, much in this endeavour, would leave very little to be desired, since there is no successful transition from i.e. u-19, u-21 -23. Prove me wrong editor, when also in my previous letter I had envisaged two points to the Golden Jaguars in group B, which could have been achieved with a 3-3 draw at home with El Salvador.