Grandel, three others out of Guadeloupe with injuries

July 6, 2009

OAKLAND – If Guadeloupe is going to repeat its semifinal outing in the 2007 Gold Cup, it will have to do it without four key players.

Goalkeepers Franck Grandel (shoulder) and Fabrice Mercury (hamstring), midfielder Ludovic Sylvestre (ankle), and defender Ronald Zubar (knee) are out with injuries.

All four are expected to miss Guadeloupe’s match against Panama Sunday.

Grandel, who was chosen the 2007 Gold Cup’s top goalkeeper and earned all-tournament team honors, has left Oakland for France where he is expected to rehabilitate with his new club Dijon.

Guadeloupe team officials said Grandel would have stayed had his shoulder been in better condition and would have waited to sign with Dijon.

Grandel didn’t have a club prior to being named to the Gold Cup roster. He’s considered one of the nation’s top players.

It is not clear who will replace Grandel in goal. Assistant coach Alex Parnasse said Marius Fausta and Yohann Bus are possible replacements for both injured goalkeepers.

“We don’t know who will start,” Parnasse said in French through an interpreter. “It will be a game-time decision.”

What is clear is that Fabien Jerome, a defender, and midfielder Larry Clavier are slated to join the team as replacements.

Despite losing the handful of players to injury, Guadeloupe remains confident.

After all, they are not the favorite to win Group C, which includes Mexico.

“Obviously because the players that were chosen, they were chosen for their quality and their experience,” Parnasse said. “So instead of now counting on the individual talent that was brought to this team, the players are going to have to bring themselves together and move forward.

It is not clear who will replace Grandel in goal. Assistant coach Alex Parnasse said Marius Fausta and Yohann Bus are possible replacements for both injured goalkeepers.

“We don’t know who will start,” Parnasse said in French through an interpreter. “It will be a game-time decision.”

What is clear is that Fabien Jerome, a defender, and midfielder Larry Clavier are slated to join the team as replacements.

Despite losing the handful of players to injury, Guadeloupe remains confident.

After all, they are not the favorite to win Group C, which includes Mexico.

By Ivan Orozco

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