Grenadians arrive for round two
-Hernandez walks out of national camp
By Steve Ninvalle
Stabroek News
March 13, 2004
The Grenada senior national team goes through a session at the GNS ground yesterday. (photo by Lawrence Fanfair)
The Grenada national football team arrived in Guyana yesterday morning, confident that the next round of the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier is well within their grasp.
Team coach Ali De Bellotte said three England-based players have been added to the team that humbled Guyana 5-0 in the away game.
"Striker Jason Robert and midfielders Brian Lee and Anthony Beadeau are now in the side," the head coach said adding that their inclusion has given more depth to the `Spice Boys'.
"We have better quality players now but it will depend on how they play.
Guyana is on its home ground and has the home support," De Bellotte added.
The Grenadians tackle Guyana tomorrow afternoon at the Blairmont ground for a chance to meet the USA in the next round of the competition. Guyana needs to win by six clear goals to play the USA.
However, De Bellotte complained about "substandard" accommodation afforded his team. He declared that the rooms were not ideal for a national team.
Meanwhile, Team Guyana suffered a set back when talented midfielder Neil Hernandez walked out of camp last week. President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Colin Klass confirmed last night that his federation was looking at the matter.
Klass said that the incident happened soon after Guyana's 1-0 defeat at the hands of the Trinidad national side but would not go into detail. A source close to the GFF said that Hernandez was told that he would have been fined half of his weekly allowance for returning to camp late.
The source said that instead of accepting the fine the midfielder opted out. And goalkeeper Marlon `Gambino' Hendricks has been suspended from the national side and from playing any match sanctioned by the GFF.
This followed an altercation the goalkeeper had with the Technical Director Neider Dos Santos on Tuesday. Klass also confirmed that the GFF is reviewing Hendricks' case.