By Rawle Toney

IN EXACTLY seven days (February 11) Guyana’s female football team – The Lady Jags – will begin their quest to go to Rio Brazil, when they face Canada at the BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston Texas, in the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifier tournament. Guyana were placed in Group B of the tournament, along with Trinidad and Tobago and Guatemala, while World Champions USA head the perceived ‘Group of Death’ that also includes rivals Mexico, Puerto Rico and Costa Rica.

By virtue of defeating Jamaica 2-1 to finish third in the CFU tournament (behind winners Trinidad and second place Puerto Rico) in the Twin Island Republic, Lady Jags would have qualified for their second CONACACF tournament, making them the country’s most successful football programme, given the fact that our men’s national team are yet to play in a major confederation championship.
“The players are extremely excited and honoured to be on the same stage as a powerhouse like Canada, Guatemala and Trinidad. They will give them their due respect but they sincerely believe that they can compete,” said head coach Mark Rodrigues during an exclusive interview with Chronicle Sport.
Asked about the mood of his players ahead of their second showing on CONCACAF’s main stage, Rodrigues said the players “have been displaying a lot of pride in the fact that Guyanese blood courses through their veins and want to prove that the adversities we faced in 2010 are in the past”.
“This is a new era of the Lady Jags. One that is more focused and committed, who understand the level of fitness that is required to compete, are more mature and experienced. They are determined to show and prove their worth as Guyanese,” Rodrigues said.
Considered the ‘underdogs’ for the second time, the US-based coach highlighted that while some might see the Lady Jags being pressured to produce, he sees it as a challenge.
Rodrigues told Chronicle Sport that “understanding what you have to work with, the limited time with the players, little or no finances and resources only highlight any success – as limited as it may be to some, even more: We are already successful.”
North American Media outlets have already written off the Lady Jags from advancing further in the tournament, given the fact that Guyana are the lowest ranked team, and taking into account, the result of their first showing in the 2010 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Nonetheless, the always optimistic Rodrigues pointed out, “It’s actually very good that the media, the public, the coaching staff and the players have 2010 to look back and reflect on. We went in as the underdogs then and are still viewed that way, which again is how we ‘The Lady Jags’ fully embrace it again. This only makes us even more determined to build on our successes to date. The legacy of the Lady Jags will continue to be written in Houston, Texas.”
Coach Rodrigues’ roster reads: Chante Sandiford, Simone Busby, Ruth George (GK), Defenders: Julia Gonsalves, Kelly Pelz-Butler, Justine Rodrigues, Briana DeSouza, Bria Williams, Leah-Marie Ramalho, Kayla DeSouza.
Midfielders: Mariam El-Masri, Alison Heydorn, Ashley Rodrigues (C), Kailey Leila, Ashlee Savona, Dana Bally, Olivia Gonsalves, Brittany Persaud and Forwards: Calaigh Copland and Otesha Charles.
Clement Brown will serve as Rodrigues’ assistant; along with goalkeeping coach Richard Reynolds, Sheron Abrams as manager and physiotherapist David Lawrence.
The World Cup champions (USA) will face Costa Rica to open the eight-team CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament.
The United States have won the past three tournaments that determine the Olympic representatives from CONCACAF, and went on to win the gold medal in the last three Olympics.

The Schedule:
Wednesday, February 10 – Toyota Stadium
18:00hrs (17:00hrs) Puerto Rico vs Mexico
20:30hrs (19:30hrs) USA vs Costa Rica
Thursday, February 11 – BBVA Compass Stadium
18:00hrs (17:00hrs) Guatemala vs Trinidad & Tobago
20:30hrs (19:30hrs) Canada vs. Guyana
Saturday, February 13 – Toyota Stadium
13:30hrs (12:30hrs) Costa Rica vs Puerto Rico
16:00hrs (15:00hrs) Mexico vs USA
Sunday, February 14 – BBVA Compass Stadium
13:30hrs (12:30hrs) Guyana vs Guatemala
16:00hrs (15:00hrs) Trinidad & Tobago vs Canada
Monday, February 15 – Toyota Stadium
18:00hrs (17:00hrs) Mexico vs Costa Rica
20:30hrs (19:30hrs) USA vs Puerto Rico
Tuesday, February 16 – BBVA Compass Stadium
18:00hrs (17:00hrs) Trinidad & Tobago vs. Guyana
20:30hrs (19:30hrs) Canada vs Guatemala
Friday, February 19 – BBVA Compass Stadium
17:30hrs (16:30hrs) 1B vs 2A 20:30hrs (19:30hrs) 1A vs 2B
Sunday, February 21 – BBVA Compass Stadium
17:00hrs (16:00hrs) Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2