Following weeks of continuous preparation, a batch of Guyana’s National Under-20 football team departed local shores on Tuesday with the remainder of the team jetting off today for their regional engagement.
Upon the team’s departure for Nicaragua, hosts of the CONCACAF U-20 Men’s Qualifiers, Head Coach Wayne Dover said he was pleased with their overall performance during their preparatory period. Meanwhile, the staff, inclusive of coaches and medical staff, and a few players will depart today. The team played four training matches – three against the Guyana-based senior men’s national team and one against River View FC from Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
Dover said the objectives of the training matches were achieved as the team was exposed to some competitive fixtures. “The performance of the team was commendable in the matches played. We saw the implementation of many areas worked on and also saw areas which needed more attention. After each game, we fixed some of the problems identified. The toughest opponent was definitely the senior team. They played against us as if it were the final Gold Cup qualifying game that they need to win. That was the kind of test needed to make a proper assessment of the team,” he noted.
A fresh face
Meanwhile, Development Coach and national midfielder Anthony Benfield has been assigned as Assistant Coach following an injury suffered by Calvin Allen in a motorcycle accident. “Coach Allen, who has initially been named as Assistant Coach has had an unfortunate motorcycle accident, which has incapacitated him and, under the medical practitioner’s advice, has been required to rest. Benfield, who has been with team, is knowledgeable and capable to function in the post he has now been assigned.”
A 20-man squad will represent Guyana at the CONCACAF U-20 Men’s Qualifiers in Nicaragua from February 15 to 23, 2020.
Guyana have been placed in Group A with St Vincent and The Grenadines, Montserrat, US Virgin Islands and hosts Nicaragua.
Guyana’s match schedule is as follows:
MATCH 1:
February 15 @ 17:30h – Guyana v Montserrat
MATCH 2:
February 17 @ 17:30h – St Vincent & the Grenadines v Guyana
MATCH 3:
February 21 @ 20:30h – US Virgin Islands v Guyana
MATCH 4:
February 23 @ 20:30h – Nicaragua v Guyana
