– Maximo reiterates balance between overseas and local talent ahead of 2022 World Cup campaign

AS Guyana look ahead to their Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifier campaign, Golden Jaguars Head Coach, Márcio Máximo, has reiterated his position on the composition of his team, which he says must see a balance of local and overseas talent.

“Balance between the numbers of internationals, export and local players in all competitions will be maintained as well as our level of competitiveness and at the same time we will continue to develop our local football and local players,” Máximo told veteran journalist, Franklin Wilson, in an article published in Sunday’s edition of Kaieteur News.

According to Máximo, any other position would mean that Guyana will be walking a circle, “going back to the same place. Competitions are episodic but development is forever. We have to work on both fronts. Create and improve our local idols as well with identification with our local fans.”

The 58-year-old who stood at the helm of the Brazilian U-17 and U-20 national teams, is known as a youth development-oriented coach and would’ve found considerable amount of success for this out-look, especially during his tenure with the Tanzania senior men’s team (2006 – 2010).

The Golden Jaguars were drawn in Group F in the CONCACAF zone of the 2022 Qatar World Cup Qualifier, alongside Trinidad and Tobago, St Kitts and Nevis, Puerto Rico and The Bahamas.

Guyana will travel to the Twin Island Republic for their opening game on October 8, after which, they will return home to roar against the Bahamas on Tuesday, October 13.

On November 13, Guyana will travel to St Kitts and Nevis for their third game and then host Puerto Rico on November 17.

The first round will be played in a single round-robin format, meaning each team will play four matches; two home and two away, during the FIFA International match window.

“I think that we have chance to qualify in this first round, the group is balanced,” Máximo stated, but the coach, who led the likes of Ronaldo and Ronaldinho at the youth level for Brazil, further added that “it will depend on how the players will be after this interruption. I learned through my career as player, also coach, that prognosis should be proven in the field, not in theory; also according to the principles of our programme.”

Meanwhile, despite being unable to train with him back home in Brazil, Máximo related that he has been meeting virtually with members of the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) technical department, pointing out that along with Coach Wilson Toledo, they’re “still waiting for the airport to reopen in order to return. Once Government gives the approval for sporting activities to resume, our local staff will immediately start the training on the field with our guidance until we get there.”

“Also, we are very happy with the signals that the new government gave to us when president (Wayne) Forde met with the new Minister of Sport (Charles Ramson Jr). For me, their support is crucial to our success, as well [as that] of the private sector.”

While visiting the GFF to witness the draw with Forde and staff, Minister Ramson said Dr Irfaan Ali-led Government of Guyana wants “to be able to promote football in Guyana as part of the Government’s programme, working in a collaborative way.”

 “Sport is important to the President of Guyana, sport is important to me and we don’t only want to say it, we want to show it and that’s why I wanted to make the time to be here with you when Guyana is being drawn and to know where they are going to play,” Ramson said.

 Golden Jaguars’ best run in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers came during the lead-up to the 2014 tournament in Brazil, where they had reached the penultimate round of the CONCACAF zone.