Any sporting clash between Barbados and Guyana these days generates plenty of interest and usually attracts scores of spectators.
And tonight’s “grudge match” to conclude the Bradley University Soccer Festival at the National Stadium should be no exception, with several Guyanese living in Barbados converging on the Waterford venue.
Guyana swept a two-match home series last Friday and Sunday with 1-0 and 3-2 victories when they hosted the new-look Barbados side in two friendlies.
After those defeats, Barbados went under 2-0 to Bradley University on Wednesday night and played to a goalless draw with St Vincent and the Grenadines on Friday night.
But new coach Colin “Potato” Forde reckons the reconstituted side is showing signs of improvement.
“I think we are progressing smoothly. I’ve been trying to give all the players a run-out just to look at them to assess their standard of play,” Forde told SUN SPORT.
“It will take some time for me to get the team playing the way I want them to play but I’m happy at the moment with the performances from the team.”
Forde believes the results of those four tune-up matches are secondary to the overall objective of the team.
“We would all like to get positive results but I’m just building. As we go on, I know the team will improve,” he said.
The coach said the ultimate goal was building a squad for the World Cup qualifiers starting in September.
“Hopefully by September we would have a settled squad and hopefully that squad will then do the business of winning games for Barbados,” he said.
Looking ahead to today’s showdown, Forde is likely to start with his strongest line-up and this means the trio of Jeffrey Williams, Curtis Odle and Lionel Paul in midfield with Maradona Lavine and Mario Marte up front and goalkeeper Omari Eastmond between the uprights, with imposing captain Barry Skeete marshalling the defence.
“For the last four games I’ve been trying different players but I’ve a set squad in my head. It is just now to bring that squad together and strengthening it as we go on,” said the coach.
Forde said he does not see today’s match, which kicks off at 8 p.m., as a grudge match.
“I don’t see it as such. I just see it as another match where we are preparing. We are going to take it in stride. Guyana is a good team and we will put out a team that will be competitive and that will do the business for us here at home,” he said.
The match will be preceded by a repeat of the Banks Tiger Malt Under-13 final between reigning champions Barbados Soccer Academy and Kick Start at 4 p.m., followed by the 5 p.m. encounter between St Vincent and Bradley University.
