Guyana and host nation Bermuda will clash tonight in an international friendly at that country’s National Sports Centre as both countries seek to peak at this summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, where they will also be making their respective debuts.
At a press conference held at the Bermuda Football Federation Office on Tuesday afternoon, Guyana’s Head Coach Michael Johnson and Bermuda’s Coach Kyle Lightbourne both said that a result is not the ultimate aim of the encounter, but that they would be using the game to fine tune their sides for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
In their first and only session at the match venue today, Johnson told GFF Media that the session went into a bit more detail in terms of how they want to play tonight (Thursday). He pointed out that in the last couple of days’ training, the Technical Staff had just allowed the players to play, to allow bonding and team spirit to develop.
The Golden Jaguars squad during one of many training sessions
“Today was a little bit more structured, so we spoke about how we’re going to play, what the expectations are from our midfield and our wide players. So we’re trying to, as we go through the days and weeks, put a little bit more detail, not too much that it confuses anybody, and it’s not going any way away from what we’ve been doing. It’s just gentle reminders obviously, of what we’ve been doing over the last few months.”
Given that there are a few new players in the final 23-man squad, Johnson pointed out that they have to make sure that everyone is absolutely clear about what they are expected to do in and out of possession.
“Some would get it quicker, but for some it might take a little bit longer; and that’s why it’s a really good opportunity for us to see who’s taken on board the messages and who might need a little bit more help because they are not quite sure,” he explained.
While being tightlipped about who his starters would be, Johnson has informed that the new players would have more information to take on board during the ensuing days, and he is expecting a progression in their performances.
“As we get closer, they would be fitter; mentally…stronger because they have been in this environment, and a lot more understanding would have gone into them based on the time that we’ve been given. So I would expect the next game to be a lot closer to where we want them to be in terms of going on to the USA game,” he declared.
Following the Bermuda match, the Guyana team will travel to Costa Rica, where they will continue their camp and will play their second and final friendly against Haiti next week. This encounter, Johnson noted, would be a lot different in terms of approach.Guyana and host nation Bermuda will clash tonight in an international friendly at that country’s National Sports Centre as both countries seek to peak at this summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, where they will also be making their respective debuts.
At a press conference held at the Bermuda Football Federation Office on Tuesday afternoon, Guyana’s Head Coach Michael Johnson and Bermuda’s Coach Kyle Lightbourne both said that a result is not the ultimate aim of the encounter, but that they would be using the game to fine tune their sides for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
In their first and only session at the match venue today, Johnson told GFF Media that the session went into a bit more detail in terms of how they want to play tonight (Thursday). He pointed out that in the last couple of days’ training, the Technical Staff had just allowed the players to play, to allow bonding and team spirit to develop.
“Today was a little bit more structured, so we spoke about how we’re going to play, what the expectations are from our midfield and our wide players. So we’re trying to, as we go through the days and weeks, put a little bit more detail, not too much that it confuses anybody, and it’s not going any way away from what we’ve been doing. It’s just gentle reminders obviously, of what we’ve been doing over the last few months.”
Given that there are a few new players in the final 23-man squad, Johnson pointed out that they have to make sure that everyone is absolutely clear about what they are expected to do in and out of possession.
“Some would get it quicker, but for some it might take a little bit longer; and that’s why it’s a really good opportunity for us to see who’s taken on board the messages and who might need a little bit more help because they are not quite sure,” he explained.
While being tightlipped about who his starters would be, Johnson has informed that the new players would have more information to take on board during the ensuing days, and he is expecting a progression in their performances.
“As we get closer, they would be fitter; mentally…stronger because they have been in this environment, and a lot more understanding would have gone into them based on the time that we’ve been given. So I would expect the next game to be a lot closer to where we want them to be in terms of going on to the USA game,” he declared.
Following the Bermuda match, the Guyana team will travel to Costa Rica, where they will continue their camp and will play their second and final friendly against Haiti next week. This encounter, Johnson noted, would be a lot different in terms of approach.
