The National Team of Guatemala is ready for his debut in the Gold Cup 2025 against Jamaica, and in the prelude to the party, the coach Luis Fernando Tena He shared his sensations and reflections on the current moment of the national team, the process he leads and the importance of the tournament for the country.
“Now that we are at a very good level, we prepare ourselves conscientiously. The match against the Dominican Republic was key to staying alive towards the World Cup, and the players know it. They always show a total dispositionthey are aware of what we play, “said the Mexican strategist, who has consolidated a young base in the national team.
Tena acknowledged that, beyond the debut, the process continues and also focuses on what comes next. “We are three months of the most important thing, which begins in September. But we give all the seriousness to this tournament. For Guatemala, the Gold Cup will always be important. It helps us to grow, to measure ourselves and try to give joy to our people, ”he said.
On the progress of the team since his arrival, he stressed that there have been firm and progressive steps: “We were in the Second Division and now we stayed in the League A of Nations. We passed first of the group two years ago in this same cup. We have gradually uploaded in the FIFA ranking and, the most important thing is that we have lowered the average age to the team. We have many young people of quality”.
Regarding Monday’s rival, Tena spared no praise. “Jamaica is a very strong team, with 14 players in England. Powerful, fast, skilled and with an experience technician who was champion in Holland. They are serious candidates for the title”He said. However, he made it clear that Guatemala will seek ways to counteract them from order and intensity.
The technician also stressed that Guatemala did not take this cup with lightness: “I have heard that some teams plan to come with an alternative picture. We do not come with the best, seriously, intensely, trying to advance as much as we can. We also want our players to show themselves and can be hired abroad.”
Luis Fernando Tena also highlighted the emotional impulse that means playing in the United States: “Here we have always received a lot of support from the Chapina fans. Two years ago they gave us a great impulse, and we hope to correspond to that strength. There are thousands of Guatemalans in the American Union that are always with us.”
Finally, he talked about the integration of new pieces such as Matth Evans and group performance in training. “Evans is good, with rhythm, playing in his team. Sooner or later he will have minutes. It is a group that is always delivered, inside and outside the field. It is a pleasure to work with them,” Tena closed, with his mind put in a historical debut for Chapín football.