GEORGETOWN, Guyana -- Guyana announced an 18-player roster Thursday for its final pair of third round CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers against Mexico and Costa Rica on Oct. 12 and 16, respectively.
Earlier this week, FIFA confirmed that the Golden Jaguars, who still maintain a mathematical chance of advancing to the hexagonal, will play their home match against Mexico on Oct. 12 at BBVA Compass in Houston, Texas. Four days later, they will face Costa Rica on the road at the Estadio Nacional in San Jose.
Head coach Jamaal Shabazz and his domestic-based players have been training in Guyana over the past two weeks and will depart on Monday for the United States, where they will link up with the foreign-based members of the squad.
Versatile defender John "JP" Rodrigues and striker Carl Cort are unavailable due to commitments to their North American Soccer League (NASL) club Tampa Bay Rowdies. For similar reasons, veteran defender Leon Cort of English Championship side Charlton Athletic will also miss out.
Goalkeeper Derrick Carter, striker Daniel Wilson and U.S.-based winger Brandon Beresford are three new inclusions to the selection.
With one point from four games, Guyana currently sits last in Group B, 11 points behind group winner Mexico, but only 4 off the pace of second-place El Salvador. Costa Rica is in third with four points. A tie or loss against the Mexicans will spell elimination for the Caribbean side with one game left on the fixture list.
Offensively, Guyana has been impressive as of late, scoring two goals in each of its last two qualifiers, both against El Salvador. Treyon Bobb tallied twice in a 2-2 draw in San Salvador, while Gregory Richardson and Chris Nurse both netted in a 3-2 loss at home. All three scorers have been named to the current roster.
It is on the defensive end where the Golden Jaguars have experienced struggles, however, conceding two or more goals in five-consecutive World Cup qualifiers.
GUYANA ROSTER
Oct. 12 home v Mexico (Houston, Texas, USA); Oct. 16 away v Costa Rica
GOALKEEPERS: Derrick Carter, Richard Reynolds
DEFENDERS: Charles Pollard, Walter Moore, Colin Nelson, Jamaal Smith
MIDFIELDERS: Chris Nurse (captain), Brandon Beresford, Nick Millington, Dwight Peters, Dwain Jacobs, Kester Jacobs, Ricky Shakes, Treyon Bobb
FORWARDS: Gregory Richardson, Vurlon Mills, Anthony Abrams, Shawn Beveney
