FOUR days before Guyana kick off their 2018 World Cup aspirations against St Vincent and The Grenadines, Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz yesterday named his 21 man-squad that will tomorrow wing out to Kingstown.

The two teams will face off at the Arnos Vale Stadium on Wednesday June 10, then in the return fixture at the Guyana National Stadium four days later.

In a change to previous qualification tournaments, CONCACAF decided that the first three rounds will be played as knockout rounds, with both the fourth round and the final round (referred to as ‘The Hexagonal’) played as group stages.

Thirty eight players (38) were called by Shabazz and according to the Golden Jaguars coach, coming up with the final squad to travel for the first leg, was a difficult task.

Shabazz added that each player showed commitment and worked hard for the right to be selected.

Meanwhile, Shabazz pointed out that midfield maestro Clive Nobrega, who had picked up a Red Card in Guyana’s 1 – 0 International Friendly lost to Suriname in Paramaribo last month will miss the first leg of the qualifier due to the infraction .

Of the team that played in the 2014 qualifier that reached the penultimate round, Christopher Nurse, Ricky Shakes, goalkeeper Derrick Carter, Vurlon Mills, Collin Nelson, Trayon Bobb, Walter Moore, Jamaal Smith and Dwaine Jacobs are the only returning players with Shabazz crafting a younger side.

The Squad: Akel Clarke and Derrick Carter (GK), Defenders: Matthew Briggs, Collin Nelson, Jamaal Smith, Adrian Butters, Samuel Cox and Dwain Jacobs. Midfield: Vurlon Mills, Ricky Shakes, Brandon Beresford, Christopher Nurse (Captain), Kanata Manning, Trayon Bobb, Walter Moore, Eon Alleyne, Neil Danns. Forwards: Emery Welshman, Sheldon Holder, Marcel Barrington and Daniel Wilson.

Head Coach: Jamaal Shabazz
Asst. Coach: Wayne Dover
Goalkeeping Coach: Andrew Hazel
Equipment Manager: Trevor Burnett
Managers: Mark Xavier and Faizal Khan
Trainer: Anson Ambrose
Physiotherapist: Duane Saunders and Beverley Nelson