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By Neto Baptiste
Head coach of the Antigua and Barbuda senior men’s football team, Jacques Passy, said tough decisions had to be made in an effort to both turn the fortunes of the team around and begin the process of blooding new players.
The statement comes on the heels of public outcry over the omission of veteran player and captain of the team, Quinton Griffith, ahead of Group A World Cup Qualifiers against Cuba and Honduras slated for June 6 and 10.
“This team, when I took over the team, has not won in 19 months; we are basically out of World Cup contention and we would need to win against Cuba and Honduras, plus depend on other results. So I decided to go with a younger generation. The average age of the team is around 22 years old or even younger perhaps and it’s a decision I made that it was time to provide opportunities for a young generation which I believe is very talented – that has a great future and if it is not now then it will never happen,” he said.
Griffith, who has represented the Antigua and Barbuda Benna Boys since 2009, was notably missing from a list of 25 players selected to represent the twin-island state in the two matches with the clash against Cuba slated for the FA’s Technical Center on June 6 while they play away to Honduras on the 10th.
Passy, speaking on the Good Morning Jojo Sports Show, said the guidelines for selection were made clear to all players, including Griffith.
“I made it very clear that I would look at players according to their performances in camp and that was the only metric that I took into consideration – calling some of the players that would be eventually in the team and unfortunately, Quinton had some personal situations and I couldn’t see him enough. I saw him in only a couple of the trainings. I couldn’t have enough of a conversation with him, I couldn’t evaluate him properly and that was one thing. Another thing is that I am in the midst of changing the generation and I believe that Antigua should be incredibly proud of the young players that currently play football in Antigua,” he said.
In a letter reportedly written to the player, the ABFA informed Griffith of the decision to ”‘pursue a different approach for the upcoming campaigns” and that the intended approach “does not include your name”.
The recently appointed Passy noted that Griffith is not the only senior player dropped for the upcoming matches.
“I am hearing the talk about leaving out Quinton but I can tell you that I also left out some very good other players like, for example Vashami Allen, who I think is a great center-back and other players. I came here with the sole objective of trying to change the inertia that a national team has. This national team has not won in 19 months and I can tell you that with regards to Quinton in particular that Quinton has this information since April that I would not be calling him and he received a letter from the FA,” the coach said.
Team Antigua and Barbuda is yet to win a game in Group A after two showings.
Squad: Goalkeepers – Shahoi Dorsette, Taj Moore, Jayden Martin; Defenders –Roneba Cordice, Shakore Simon, Antonio Morgan, Kylano Isaac, Luther Wildin, Zafique Drew, Jahzinho O’Garro and Leroy Graham; Midfielders – D’Andre Bishop, Sean Tomlinson, Amir Daley, Shaquan Simon, Tyrik Hughes, D’jari Sheppard, Vaughn Jackson, Thomas James Bramble and Shalon Knight; Forwards – Karique Knight, Drake Hadeed, Keon Green and Raheem Deterville.
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