Shabazz pleased as Guyana pips Connection 1-0.
By: Jovan Ravello (ttproleague).[/size]
The Guyanese senior national team recorded a morale boosting 1-0 win over Vibe Ct 105 W Connection at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Balmain, Couva on Wednesday.
Nigel Codrington, of T&T Pro League team Neal and Massy Caledonia AIA, scored the match’s only goal.
The both teams began cautiously with the attacking ability of the Connection squad causing the visitors no end of worry, but while the ‘Savonetta Boys’ enjoyed the bulk of the early possession it would be the visitors that would strike the first blow.
Connection, with striker Andre Toussaint goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams and Andrei Pacheco in Vienna on international duty, fielded a mix of first team regulars and some of the club’s younger players.
Anchoring the midfield alongside Gefferson Goulart was T&T senior international player Silvio Spann, who rejoined the club from whose ranks he emerged on Saturday and is scheduled to be registered as a Connection player, after the club received his international transfer today.
Spann and Goulart proved to be a great combination for Connection in the middle of the park and the pair orchestrated most of the attacking forays, however, which in the end proved unsuccessful.
Guyana’s response to Connection’s play in the centre was a quick passing brand that utilized the services of Shaun Beveney on the right wing and Gregory Richard on the left.
Keen to impress, the Guyanese team played a strong match while maintaining a level of professionalism and keeping its shape throughout the encounter.
In the 40th minute Guyana’s endeavor would pay off.
Richard combined well with Howard Lowe on the left before sending an early cross into the box, the ball was not claimed by any of the Connection defenders and all that was left to do was crack the loose ball into the back of the net a task which Nigel Codrington tended to obligingly, the ball grazing the crossbar on its way in.
The goal did not seem to affect the pace of the match adversely as Connection appeared at ease despite being down and Guyana protected their lead in very much the same manner as they got it with some stiff defensive and midfield work. The score remained the same to the half-time whistle.
Connection withdrew Spann, Goulart, defender Brenton De Leon and Christopher Harvey, introducing the younger players into the contest inclusive of Fileno Dos Santos, Christian Viveros, Renato Araujo and Diego Zannetti.
The changes did not alter the match’s spirit, as it remained an entertaining and highly competitive friendly.
After three minutes Guyana continued to press the Connection back line from the wings and almost got a second when Richard found some space on the left before cutting the ball back to the penalty spot where Codrington was there to meet it but his low shot was scuffed onto the right upright and was then quickly cleared away by the defenders.
A minute later Guyana then spurned another great opportunity as after some good work on the left side Codrington again found himself with space in the box but he blazed the opportunity over the bar.
Things began to get heated as the difficult surface and the team’s eagerness to get another strike on the card began to take their toll,
Shots from Connection substitute Diego Zanetti and Guyana Richard Reynolds did very little to challenge the opposing goalies as the match winded down.
Soon after the referee decided he had seen enough and called time—and the encounter ending 1-0 in favour of Guyana.
The Guyana national team are preparing for their second round Digicel Cup series November 24 – 28, while W Connection are keeping themselves in gear for the remainder of the Pro League season.
Speaking after the match Guyanese coach and Caledonia aia technical director Jamaal Shabazz said it was good to get a result.
“We had bits and pieces of our game, ball possession was good and we looked well organized in defence. John Rodriges — an American born Guyanese— showed his ability and proved to be a welcomed addition to the team, he gives us good depth at the back.
“When the T&T Pro League players return to the teams we still have three days with the players before the tournament and we hope to sharpen them up,” Shabazz noted.
“Also we saw some good things from (goalkeeper) Jason Lloyd, Clive Lloyd’s son, and it was a very encouraging result going into the tournament.”
In related news, The T&T Pro League transfer window opened on Thursday and defender Dexter Franklyn, formerly of CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh and Starworld Strikers, has joined current league leaders Joe Public. Brazilian Felintos Dos Santos has also rejoined W Connection.
Teams:
W Connection:[/b] - Kerwin Beckles, Brenten De Leon, Christopher Harvey, Jevon Johnson, Hasan Thomas, Silvio Spann, Kern Cupid, George Isaacs, Gefferson Goulart, Dwight Scott, Keon Smith.
Substitutes: Moralo Costa, Ronaldo Viana, Christian Almas, Filento dos Santos, Nicholson Thomas, Christian Viveros, Diego Zanetti, Renaldo Araujo, Bevon Bass, Elijah Joseph.
Guyana: - Clive Lloyd, Nigel Codrington, Randolph Jerome, Gregory Richard, Shawn Bishop, Kayode Mc Kinnon, Shawn Beveney, Walter Moore, Howard Lowe, Leslie Holligan, John Rodrigues.
Substitutes: Andrew Durant, Richard Reynolds, Collie Hercules, Emeric Williams.
Goals Nigel Codrington 40th.
Related News.
Guyana tackle W-Connection Wednesday.
Trinidad Express Reports.
The Guyanese national football team are in Trinidad for a live-in camp and will play defending T&T Pro League champions Vibe CT 105 W Connection in a warm-up game from 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella.
Yesterday, Trinidadian Jamaal Shabazz, coach of Guyana, said that given the meagre resources of the Guyana Football Federation, a game against W Connection was similar to playing any of the top Caribbean countries, because of the quality of players in that club.
Shabazz has now joined Guyana full-time until next year's Digicel Caribbean Cup finals. His squad have also been boosted by the inclusion of England-based Jason Lloyd, a player with Bolton Wanderers who is a son of Clive Lloyd, the ex-West Indies cricket captain.
American John JP Rodriguez, a striker with Miami FC, a team with Brazilian Romario, has also made himself available to play for Guyana.
The Guyana team also include 11 players who play in the T&T Pro League , including North East Stars striker Walter Moore, Kayode McKinnon, captain Charles Pollard and Nigel Codrington, a striker with Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA.