Canadian High Commissioner Pierre Giroux said that the dream of Guyana-born Canadian Hall of Famer Alex Bunbury to have an international match featuring the nation of his birth and Canada has become a reality.
Guyana is slated to face off with the Canadians tomorrow (Sunday May 15) from 19:00hrs at the Guyana National Stadium.
Speaking at a meet and greet featuring the two competing nations staged at his residence mere hours before the battle at the National Stadium in Providence, Giroux during brief comments praised Bunbury for his efforts in making the contest a reality, noting “Today, that dream has become reality and so we are very happy to see you all here; we hope that both teams will be playing well tomorrow”
Similarly sharing his thoughts on the impending fixture, National Sports Commission (NSC) Chief Christopher Jones said “We are celebrating Guyana’s 50thanniversary and of course the relationship that Canada and Guyana share, indeed, this is the most fitting tribute.”
According to Jones, it is an honour to be able to stage a fixture of such magnitude during the celebration, declaring “In honour of the golden Jubilee, it was a desire of President David Granger to have an international friendly football match”.
Speaking on behalf of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Vice-President Retired Brigadier Bruce Lovell thanked all the stakeholders that made it possible for the historic contest to be realized, declaring that one of the priorities of the entity’s executives is to create avenues for the exposure of the respective national teams.
Lovell further thanked the visiting team while wishing the best of them, indicating “We have begun to see that strategy bearing fruit because from the start of the year to now, we have jumped 32 places in FIFA rankings.”
The Golden Jaguars team for the contest will be chosen from the likes of Alex Murray, Solomon Austin, Joshua Browne, Collin Nelson, Kester Jacobs, Eon Alleyne, Gregory Richardson, Devon Millington, Daniel Wilson, Dwight Peters, Quincy Adams, Trayon Bobb, Pernell Shultz, Dellon Lanferman, Ishankie Charles, Anthony Whyte, Daniel Whyte, Marcel Barrington, Clive Nobrega, Tichard Joseph, Hubert Pedro, Les-Charles Critchlow, Jahaal Greaves, Cortez Kellman and Mustapha Haqq.
Speaking yesterday ahead of the inaugural meeting of the countries today at the National Stadium in Providence, Nelson “We are approaching the game with the same intensity as every other game and this game is to prepare for the next round of CFU matches which is in two weeks and we are playing to come out with intense pace”.
According to the versatile player, his role as captain is simply to act as a guide for the other players, noting that it’s not extra responsibility as every member of the team has an important role to play.
On the other hand, his Canadian counterpart Maxime Crépeau said while his team does not have much scouting information of the Guyanese unit, they will analyze some video footage and see how best they can ascertain the weaknesses of their foe.
According to Goalkeeper “We don’t know a lot on the team but we will watch the videos (we have) before today’s game and we have training on Saturday afternoon so we are going to see how we can hurt them and make them pay for their mistakes.”
Asked if the team has gotten acclimated to the conditions, he said “We’re all professionals and sometimes we have to adjust to so many things in our lives so it’s good to play in the heat.”
Crépeau declared “Obviously that’s why we’re drinking water, but maybe some guys will get cramps but we just have to adapt as quick as we can for a good performance for tomorrow’s game,” the Montreal FC player added.
Meanwhile also making remarks was Head coach of the local side Jamaal Shabazz. The Trinidad and Tobago native declared that his charges will provide a stern test come kick off time.
“You will indeed get a test today. You will get a huge test and you know we intend to put our best foot forward” he indicated. On the other hand, Canadian Tactician Michael Findley during brief remarks said that fixture provides the avenue for development of both countries quality and advancement.
He added “It gives us a great opportunity to engage in competition but more importantly to advance ourselves as a nation and also CONCACAF”.
Meanwhile in the opening encounter at 16:00hrs, fourth time defending Digicel champs Christianburg/Wismar Secondary will faceoff with Milo U20 champs Chase Academy.
