Guyana’s Under-20 Women’s national players are currently in the Dominican Republic preparing for their first match against Suriname in the Concacaf Women’s Under-20 Championship Qualifiers. The match will be played on Saturday, April 15 in the Felix Sanchez Stadium in Santo Domingo at from 15:00h.
The local team, along with Guyana Football Federation (GFF) officials, departed Guyana last weekend.
A record 32 teams are in six groups- two groups have six teams and four groups have five teams each- competing between April 14 and 23.
Guyana is in Group C with the Dominican Republic, Suriname and Dominica.
Head Coach Paul DeAbreu said the locally-based and overseas players are focusing on game strategies in training sessions.
“We are very thrilled to be competing in this tournament and to have the entire group together. The team had its first two training sessions yesterday, with the first session mainly focusing on skills through game scenarios practice and the second session focusing on game specific drills with moderate intensity. These sessions have proven to get the best out of the girls and have helped them to mesh as a group. The coaching staff will continue to work with the group in preparation for our first match on Saturday.”
He added: “We have a very young and talented group and we believe a lot of good is to be expected. We encourage our fans to cheer us on wherever they may be.”
Women’s Football Association (WFA) Andrea Johnson said she is confident the national team will perform exceedingly well in the qualifiers and advance to the next round.
“Congratulations to our players and staff on being selected to represent our beautiful country at the Concacaf U-20. I am confident that our team will perform exceedingly well as we have been drafted into a group that I’m certain we’ll advance out of. Over the past few years our Lady Jags have been performing magnificently and this time will be no different.”
She too encouraged Guyana to support the junior squad on their journey to the championship.
“As our team competes over the next few days. I want to encourage the entire Guyana and Guyanese in the diaspora to support them because Women’s Football is the Future,” Johnson added.
The winner of each group will advance to the May 2023 Concacaf Women’s Under-20 Championship in the Dominican Republic, joining top-ranked teams United States and Mexico. (GFF)
