Currently sitting at second place in Group D of League B in the CONCACAF Nations League 2023/2024, Guyana’s senior men’s national team the Golden Jaguars will, over the next few days, have the opportunity to solidify their spot atop the group.
This quest will require them to defeat Puerto Rico in their ever-important clash today, and possibly repeat the feat next Tuesday.
With the Golden Jaguars being in preparation mode over the past week, Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz has noted that their prep has been ideal.
“I thought the guys, in the four days that we had going into this game here in St. Kitts, I thought the guys gave 100%. Even this last session, 10 o’clock in the sun the day before the game, the sun is fierce and everybody, every player, has given 100%; and this is the type of preparation we wanted and needed going into an important game like this against Puerto Rico,” Shabazz shared on Friday.
Quizzed about what can be expected from the team on Saturday, Shabazz divulged that the Golden Jaguars have employed a new style of play, and they will be looking to utilise it.
He revealed, “We have now developed a way that Guyana wants to play. It took a while, but now we’ve got buy-in from the players, both local and overseas-based. We want to try and build the ball out at the back, keep possession, open the opponents, and attack through the flanks. But also, we want to try squeeze them and make life difficult for them.
“It’s going to be tough against a team that can also move the ball as Puerto Rico can, but the battle is going to cry, and we’re very confident that we could do what is necessary to get the results,” a confident Shabazz added.
Meanwhile the team’s highest goal scorer thus far, Omari Glasgow, revealed that the Jaguars are in a good space ahead of the clash.
“I think the team came back with a bit more energy. Tactically, we understand what the coaches want us to do and what we got to do. So, I just think the team is in good shape, as a team, to go out there and perform on Saturday against Puerto Rico,” Glasgow shared.
About his personal expectations, the forward added, “Well, for me, just goals and assists and help the team win. That’s it.”
Guyana and Puerto Rico will go head-to-head at the St. Kitts and Nevis Football Association (SKNFA) Technical Center from 15:00hrs today.