… Guyana to play Bermuda, Haiti in lead-up to Gold Cup

FOUR years after he made his debut for Guyana in a 2-0 win over Grenada, Matthew Briggs will be in contention for selection after being named in Golden Jaguars’ 40-man provisional squad for this year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Briggs, 28, was kept out of the National side due to eligibility issues, but now, the former Fulham FC, Watford and Colchester defender seems set to play a major role in Guyana’s Gold Cup campaign.

Former Ajax youth player Terell Ondaan (winger), along with David Stephens (defender), Jordan Dover (defender), Liam Gordon (defender) and goalkeeper Quillan Roberts are the new faces called by coach Michael Johnson.

There was no room for long-serving Finland-based defender Walter Moore. However, forward Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson was given the nod.

“We look forward to working with the squad over the coming days and weeks as we aim to build on the success of our qualification campaign,” Johnson said.
Speaking on the team’s selection, the former Jamaican International pointed out that the “process was not easy and I understand there will be disappointment amongst some players. However, I’m encouraging players, fans and the media to get behind the squad as we aim to do the people of Guyana proud.

“Wherever you are in the world, we the staff & players are asking you to get behind the team and enjoy this historical moment. Your country needs you!”
Meanwhile, the team will commence preparations on June 1 with an international camp that will include two international friendly matches.

The camp begins on June 1 in Bermuda where they will come up against fellow Gold Cup debutants Bermuda in an international friendly on June 6.
Golden Jaguars will then travel to Costa Rica to continue their camp over the period June 9-13 and while there they will play another international friendly, this time against Caribbean powerhouse Haiti on the June 11.

From Costa Rica the team will travel to their base in St Paul, Minnesota, USA, for their opening game of the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2019 on June 18 against defending champions USA.

The Golden Jaguars were drawn in Group D of the 16-team tournament, with the USA, Panama, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Following their opening game against USA on June 18, the side will travel to Cleveland, Ohio to take on Panama on June 22 at the First Energy Stadium, then play their final group game against Caribbean Football Union (CFU) rivals, Trinidad and Tobago, on June 26 at the Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas.

The squad: Matthew Briggs, Terell Ondaan, Jordan Dover, Liam Gordon, Quillan Roberts, Sam Cox, Neil Danns, Gregory Richardson, Emery Welshman, Keanu Marsh-Brown, Ronayne Marsh-Brown, Sese Nervell, Curtez Kellman, Callum Harriott, Anthony Jeffery, Dellon Lanferman, Marcel Barrington, Kelsey Benjamin, Pernell Shultz, Warren Creavalle, Elliot Bonds, Terrence Vancooten, King Solomon Austin, Kevin Layne, Sherwin Skeete, Stephen Duke-McKenna, Sheldon Holder, David Stephens, William Europe, Trayon Bobb, Daniel Wilson, Akel Clarke, Kai McKenzie-Lyle, Clive Nobrega, Quincy Adams, Brandon Beresford, Delroy Fraser, Reiss Greenidge and Alex Murray.