CFU U14 Boys Challenge Series: National U14 Shortlisted Squad in Curacao
CFU 2018 BOYS’ U14 CHALLENGE SERIES
– Guyana’s Focus Is On Development Of Players
– Shortlisted Squad Departs
2nd August, Georgetown: “The nature of this tournament is not about winning and deciding who the champion is but it’s focused on the development of young players across the Region, including Guyana. The structure of the tournament is set to facilitate that,” said Bryan Joseph, Head Coach of the National U14 Team that departed for Curacao last Wednesday to participate in the CFU 2018 Boys’ U14 Challenge Series.
The squad, consisting of 17 players and four officials, will play their first match against Trinidad and Tobago this Saturday at the Ergilio Hata Stadium from 16:00hrs, having been placed in Group C along with Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. Click link for SHORTLISTED SQUAD_U14 CFU 2018 BOYS CHALLENGE SERIES (Aug2018)
According to Joseph, the current National U14 Boys’ team will inform next year’s Concacaf U15 squad: “Our target is to go out there and be competitive but, in the same vein, we want to ensure that development takes place. This group needs the experience. I don’t think any member from this group ever played outside of Guyana, at the front of a huge crowd or packed stadium so this tournament will seek to have them become acquainted with that. This group will be the core of our U15 who will participate in the Concacaf U15 Championship in 2019, so this is the beginning of this process.”
Joseph said that while the preparation was not as thorough as that of the youth team last year, he is of the view that “Guyana is in a fairly good place because of the work done at the GFF-Scotiabank Academy Training Centres. Additionally, we have done some work with this group last year as part of the U13 preparation. Following the first encampment period, we had a few training days and practice matches so the group came together nicely.”
Meanwhile Technical Director, Ian Greenwood, said this tournament will serve as part of the development process for the 2026 World Cup Campaign: “The U14 boys group participating in their first international tournament is part of the key performance indicators of the strategy for the 2026 campaign. Gaining international experience and exposure at an early age is vital towards this. The ATC programme is the conveyor belt to produce elite performers for the Senior Teams on a consistent basis. The players in the squad have been developed through this landmark system, through the ATCs they have a greater level of game understanding than previous youth squads.”
Following their first match, Guyana will play their second, third and fourth matches on August 8, 10 and 12 against Curacao, Bonaire and Aruba respectively. All matches will be held at the Ergilio Hato Stadium.
Click link for profile images of shortlisted squad… https://www.facebook.com/pg/GuyanaFootballFederationInc/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1769310849849179
For more information, please contact:
Debra Francis (Ms.)
Communications and Public Relations Officer
Tel: 592 227 8758 ext. 105 (o)