Dos Santos wields axe
-Parks, Glenn cut from national football squad
By Steve Ninvalle
Stabroek News
February 9, 2004
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The senior national football squad suffered from an impromptu trimming yesterday after striker Delon Glenn and midfielder Elroy Parks were axed from the side.
However, the trimming could not have come at a better time as three overseas- based players are expected in the country this morning and will join the squad.
Reports reaching Stabroek Sport state that Glenn and Parks were booted from the senior camp for disciplinary reasons. A source close to the camp stated that the two players left camp Saturday afternoon without permission and returned well after the 10 pm curfew.
The source said that a livid technical director Neider Dos Santos gave marching orders to the two yesterday. The Guyana Football Federation switched the national camp from Palace De Leon Hotel in Kitty to a facility in Sophia after working out a deal with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.
The source added that Dos Santos is very strict on discipline and claimed that all players were warned.
Dos Santos will have a larger pool to chose from when strikers Randolph Jerome and Cary Harris and defender Abassy McPherson arrive from Trinidad.
The trio have been given time off from professional duties in the Twin Island Republic to come home for the trials.
Central defender Charles `Lily' Pollard arrived here on Friday while goalkeeper Richard Reynolds is expected soon.
The players, with the exception of Reynolds are expected to be at the University of Guyana ground this afternoon for their first practice session.
Earlier yesterday Dos Santos told Stabroek Sport that he is excited at the prospect of seeing the players.
"I'm excited to see them and how they will perform. My aim is to get the best team possible," Dos Santos said.
The senior squad is preparing for the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers. They play Grenada in a home and away tie which starts this month end. The winner of the tie will move on to play the USA.
Guyana will have its first international practice game on Sunday when they play the Barbadian national team in Barbados. Dos Santos disclosed that the 18 players to travel to Barbados will be selected after Friday afternoon's practice session.