By Rawle Toney

AS the country’s beloved ‘Golden Jaguars’ count down the days before their October 8 start of the 2022 Qatar World Cup Qualifiers, Israel-based forward, Emery Welshman, says he’s hoping to receive a call from Coach Marcio Maximo to be part of his squad to embark on a FIFA World Cup dream.

“As always it will be up to the coaches to select us. We know that they have a cap on the amount of internationals selected so my focus is to keep fit and healthy so that I am in contention for selection,” Welshman told Chronicle Sport in an exclusive interview from his base in Sakhnin, Israel.

Since taking over the reins of the Golden Jaguars from former coach, Michael Johnson, Maximo made it clear that there needs to be a balance between the local and overseas-based players, with the Brazilian coach adding that “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,”

Welshman, however, who has scored nine times for Guyana in his 16 outings since making his debut in 2015, seems more than a shoe-in to be part of the squad for the campaign which will see the Golden Jaguars roaring against Trinidad and Tobago at a venue to be announced in the Twin Island Republic.

The 28-year-old Welshman in his last outing for Guyana grabbed a historic point for Maximo against Jamaica, in a game which was played in the Land of Wood and Water last November.

Welshman had given Guyana the lead in the 45th minute, but Jamaica, through Javon East, equalized in the 50th minute. The game finished 1 – 1.

Guyana is grouped with Trinidad and Tobago, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico and St Kitts and Nevis, and according to the former Toronto FC and Real Salt Lake player said “history has shown that we tend to make things harder on ourselves so I hope we can all learn from past mistakes and not take these games lightly.

 Having said that, we will need all the players at our disposal (local and foreign-based) to be playing at high levels, playing competitive matches week in and week out. “

“With the right mentality and best available squad we give ourselves the best chance to qualify to the next round,” Welshman said.

Asked about his tenure in Israel’s top-flight league since moving from Hapoel Haifa to FC Bnei Sakhnin last year, Welshman noted “football-wise things are moving along here in Sakhnin.  We were able to gain promotion back to the first division last season and are now preparing for the start of the league.”

“Of course the lockdown was difficult as it has been for the majority of people. I’m fortunate enough to have my Wife and kids in Israel with me so that made things a little bit easier. It would have been extremely hard to be separated during this pandemic so we thank God that we are together,” Welshman reasoned.

Welshman, scored twice for Guyana in their 2018 World Cup run in their home-and-away contest against St Vincent and the Grenadines.

After an illustrious NCAA Division 1 career with Siena Saints and Oregon State, Welshman found his way on the Portland Timbers (U23 side) before joining Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Toronto FC.

With stops at Sigma FC, Real Salt Lake, Real Monarchs, Puerto Rico FC, Forge FC and Cincinnati FC, Welshman found a new home in Israel.