With four new acquisitions and two inactive players set to turn the switch, Western Tigers Football Club are setting their sights on winning the third season of the Guyana Football Federation Elite League. At the January Transfer window they roped-in the talented quartet of Daniel Wilson, Quason McAulay, Anthony Sancho and Rafael Edwards.
Rafael Edwards (centre), Andre Murray Jnr and another teammate engaged in intense drills at Tuesday’s training session
More so, star players Hubert Pedro and Devon Millington are set to resume duties after their absence for the first two matches and add to the likes of Collin Nelson, Cleon Forrester, Linden Picket, Randolph Wagner and Andrew Murray Jnr.
Now with a fountain of some of the country’s best players, Head Coach Calvin Allen firmly believes the only thing to measure their success is on winning the league in their first year.
“We are aiming to win the tournament; I know it’s our first year but there is nothing wrong with ambitions, we are looking pass the top two and we are looking to come out as champions. We have a very strong squad from the inception and we proved that in the [Georgetown Football] Association Leagues and tournaments; with the addition of these players I don’t think we have any excuse but to go for it”, he revealed to Guyana Times Sport on Tuesday at their adopted training area in Rasville.
The West Ruimveldt unit, currently sit fifth on the 10-team points table with four points from two matches and with nerves now settled, Allen believes the players must show the desire to do well from the “get go”.
“Judging from our first match against Guyana Defence Force we were a bit timid in the first 25 minutes but after that we flowed well. From that aspect it is just to get the guys going from the get go and the match against Milerock we saw some improvements”.
Reflecting on his signings, Allen felt they are top quality but still missed on signing other key players but for now he will focus on building the team chemistry.
Regarding having to train next to busy the Mandela Avenue with the balls constantly rolling into the bustling traffic’s path, the coach vented it was far from ideal given they cannot get to do training with field goals but said it has to suffice since their ground is in dire need of rehabilitation, an issue which the club’s Executives are trying to address.
Getting the job done
Wilson, a Golden Jaguars International and former Alpha United player explained he was as happy to return from Suriname club Nishan FC and use his exploits to help Tigers achieve championship glory. Can they achieve their coach’s aspirations? According to 24 year-old, they certainly can.
“We have what it takes, the players have all it that it takes but we have to come out and show it and not just talk it. I wanted to play some football back home and bring glory to Western Tigers; I’m here to listen and execute”.
With a 1-1 score line against Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and then a 2-1 victory over Linden’s Milerock, Tigers are scheduled to play their third match against the star-studded Fruta Conquerors on February 16 at GDF Ground, Camp Ayanganna.
