"They could run me down, but they won't catch me," was the reply from Trinidad and Tobago and Ipswich Town utility player Carlos Edwards to some heckling from a Guyanese fan on boarding Flight BW425 to Guyana on Wednesday morning.

Behind his heavy American accent, the New York-based 60-something-year-old gentleman was typical Guyanese, telling Edwards that the Guyana footballers will not give him a rest during tonight's 2014 World Cup qualifier, which will be played from 8 o'clock at the National Stadium in Providence.

"You ever see police catch a thief in Guyana...we could run," the man added with a chuckle. "We going to put some licks on that Trinidad team."

Despite Guyana not having beaten Trinidad and Tobago in 15 internationals since 1984, according to statistics from FIFA's website, the Guyanese are celebrating as if victory is certain.

A "wear yellow" campaign and plenty radio hype have whipped Guyanese fans into a frenzy and a capacity 12,000 spectators are expected at the Providence ground for the match.

"It will be war out there," Berbice-born taxi driver Godfrey Thompson promised. "I will be there."

He, too, is seeing nothing but a Guyana victory.

Their new-found confidence comes because under Trinidadian coach Jamaal Shabazz they lead Trinidad and Tobago by a point going into a pair of qualifiers against opponents who have beaten them at will over the years.

Guyanese are boasting that "puppy turn dog" and that the days of T&T beating up on them are gone.

A column in Wednesday's Kaieteur News states: "If the twin-island Republic believe that they will walk over the Jaguars, they have got to think twice and better be prepared for what these 'Golden Jaguars' are about to unleash their way."

Shabazz points out that tonight's match is the most important game in the history of Guyana football and represents a chance for them to reach further than they have ever gone in World Cup qualifying.

"Our approach to Trinidad and Tobago will be no different. Guyana have a lot of respect for Trinidad and Tobago. That will not change. We will play with confidence, but we are very aware of their potential. However, I think both countries will get a result that they deserve," he said.

"I expect the stadium to be packed to capacity," Shabazz told the Express yesterday at Radisson Suites Hotel in Georgetown, where the Golden Jaguars are in camp.

"This is a big opportunity for Guyana. People in Guyana are more passionate about football than in Trinidad, both at club level and national level. The Trinidad and Tobago public is only passionate when the national team is doing well and when they are on the last round of qualification.

"In Trinidad and Tobago they don't go to club football. The Guyana public come to club football, 'pee wee' football and all kinda football. And international football is the culmination of everything. So, this is a big moment for Guyana, and I'm happy to be part of it," Shabazz declared. —Ian Prescott