Jaguars looking to even the score with Reggae Boyz

Jul 04, 2012 Sports

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Dear Editor,
International Football Rivalry between Guyana, Formerly British Guiana and Jamaica began sixty five (65) years ago November 1947.  Playing under the Captaincy of Maurice Pollard the Land of the Majestic Kaieteur Falls defeated Jamaica 2 nil at the Queens Park Savannah November 7, 1947.
The teams were contesting an International Triangular Series that also included host Trinidad and Tobago.
The Goal scorers for the Land of Many Waters were Cecil ‘Brusier’ Thomas and Hamel Smith.
In the second game of the round Robin Series, the two teams played to a nil all draw at the same venue.  The historic British Guiana Squad read Maurice Pollard – Captain, Cecil ‘Brusier’ Thomas, Hamel Smith, Ted Nurse, Egbert Vangenderen, R. Small, M. DaSilva, L. McCluggan, A. Harris, Man Man De Souza, L. Parkes, John Nestor, A. Adams, A. Baptiste, N. Roberts, J. Teixeira & J. F. Gonsalves – Manager.
The Jamaican starting XI – 1947 read Garcia, Da Costa, Wills, Bayliss, Parke, Mc Lean, Hall, Mackenzie, Mason and Holt.
The next time the two countries meet in an International match was twelve (12) years later, March 1959 in a Quadrangular Series in Trinidad.  The Teams contesting the series were Trinidad and Tobago, British Guiana, Jamaica and Barbados.
Please note this tournament was used to select players for the first West Indies Football Team tour to the United Kingdom in July 1959.  The Land of Many Waters playing under the Captaincy of Hubert (Senior) Braithwaite held Jamaica to a two all draw at the Queens Park Savannah.  Jamaica scored an own goal, while Patsy Pieters netted the other British Guiana goal.
The 1959 British Guiana Squad read – Hubert (Senior) Braithwaite (Captain), Compton the Surgeon Julian, George Green, Monty Hope, Lewis Water Boat Weithers, Syd Campbell, N. Devonish, C. Stewart, H. Mc Gowan, H. Bourne, Patsy Pieters, Harold Blenman, K. Hinds and H. D’ Andrade.
The fourth International, the two countries contested was thirteen (13) years later, November 1973.  Guyana this Time playing under the Captaincy of Thomas United’s, Ken Gibbs, triumphed two (2) goals to one (1) at GFC under lights.  Goals scorers for Guyana were Rudolph (Chow) Hunte and Godfrey (Poulis) Norville, while Carlton Smith netted Jamaica’s lone goal.
The 1973 Jamaican National Football squad read – Vester Constantine (Captain), Derek Dennister, Peter Marston, Carlton Smith, William Welch, Devon Jeffrey, Miguel Blair, Rennie Phillips (Snr), Harold Walker, Karl Largie, Jeffrey Maxwell, Dexter Plummer, Michael Reid, Lloyd  Mc Lean, Delroy Hinds, Joseph McFarlane & George Prescott (Manager).
Please note this was the last time Guyana beat Jamaica in International Soccer.  The 1973 Guyana Squad – Ken Gibbs (Captain), Earl O’ Neal, Godfrey (Poulis) Norville, Rudolph (Chow) Hunte, Patrick (Labba) Barton, Clive (Breeser) Nedd, Maurice Enmore, Ovid Henry, Alvin Geronimo Braithwaite, Desmond Marshall, Michael Shepherd, Kenrick Bowery, Robert Alleyne, Simeon Andrews, Dennis Solomon, Vibert ‘Cardo’ Williams,  Michael Rogers & George Greene (Coach).
It took eighteen (18) years for the two countries to contest their next International match, May 1991.  Guyana led by Michael McKinnon took a six (6) nil mauling at the National Stadium in Kingston, the match was part of the 1991 Shell Cup Finals.  The 1991 National Squad for the Shell Caribbean Cup Finals read – Michael McKinnon (Captain), Michael Massiah, Nigel Massiah, Linden Layne, Lerone Bailey, Phillip Carrington, Donal Joseph, Clairmonte Bobb, Colin McNicholls, Anthony Stanton, Christopher Barnwell (Snr), Russell Persaud, Dexter Haynes, Keith London, Kevin Archer, Orin Accra, Peter Hinds, Terrence (Old Head) Lewis and Gordon Braithwaite – Coach.
After a nineteen (19) years hiatus the two countries meet again at the International Level, this time in the Digicel Cup Finals in Basseterre Guadeloupe and again the Reggae Boys were victorious this time by four (4) Goals to nil.
The last time the countries meet at the International level, Jamaica triumphed one nil in May 2012 in Montego Bay giving the Reggae Boys a 3-2 advantage over the Golden Jaguars in International Soccer matches contested since 1947.
Word around camp Guyana Football Federation is that the Reggae Boyz are heading to the Providence National Stadium for an International friendly against the Golden Jaguars, this will be the first visit by a Senior Jamaican National Team in thirty nine (39) years.  Only time will tell if Chris Nurse’s men will even things up or the Reggae dominance will continue.  Football fans can hardly wait for this anticipated showdown.
So bring it on Guyana Football Federation.
Charwayne Walker

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