….game against Puerto Rico today forms part of preparation

GUYANA’s final FIFA 2022 World Cup Qualifier match today, against Puerto Rico, has now formed part of Coach Marcio Maximo’s preparation for the Golden Jaguars’ CONCACAF Gold Cup qualifier campaign against Guatemala next month.

Maximo saw his Qatar World Cup dream come to an end following their 0 – 3 defeat to St Kitts and Nevis on Friday last, but now the Brazilian is putting that match behind him and focussing on the task ahead today at Warner Park from 4:00pm.

“We are in a development process. A lot of youths on the pitch, so we’re giving experience to them,” Maximo said, as he refuses to call his World Cup campaign a failure.
Guyana was drawn in Group F alongside St Kitts and Nevis, Puerto Rico, The Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago.

The Golden Jaguars had opened their journey to the Middle East with a 0 – 3 defeat at the hands of the Soca Warriors, but had rebounded to beat The Bahamas 4 – 0 before going down to St Kitts on June 4.

But now, Maximo’s narrative moved from advancing to the next round of qualification for the World Cup, to preparing for Guatemala on July 3 at the DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale.
“Also, I think teams like Puerto Rico is a good test for us, because they have a different style than us, but similar style that we’re going to play at the Gold Cup against Guatemala; so I think it’s going to be a good test for us,” Maximo said.

Maximo is hoping to have a good result today, adding “of course we give respect to Puerto Rico. We know about their quality. They’ve improved a lot over the last few years, so I know it’s going to be a good game.”

Maximo made a number of changes to his overseas component to his roster and he told reporters that it’s unlikely that there will be any new addition.

“The professional players that can really help us are already selected in our national team. Now, we keep the balance in our national team and keep the line that is, give opportunity to young players, for local players and also for overseas players, but our overseas group are very young too and it’s the way that we should follow,” the former Tanzania national coach said.

Maximo believes that “we don’t change teams according to results; you follow the philosophy if it’s good or not and the results to maintain and take benefit in the medium-term time. We need to give time to the players. This is a preparation game. It’s part of the process, nothing is completely ideal. Of course, we’re optimistic going into the game against Puerto Rico.”

This will be the third meeting between Puerto Rico and Guyana, with the Golden Jaguars walking away 1 – 0 winners, thanks to a goal from King Solomon Austin, in 2016.