Vibert ‘Bartica’ DeFreitas - Former Guyana Int. 1976

Vibert ‘Bartica’ DeFreitas – Former Guyana Int. 1976 – 1980

Dec 23, 2012 Sports

-World Cup Goalkeeper – 1990

Statistician Charwayne Walker continues his series on Guyana’s World Cup players; today we are pleased to feature Vibert ‘Bartica’ DeFreitas, former Guyana International 1976 – 1980; World Cup Goalkeeper – 1990.
The question consistently asked by football fans throughout Guyana is who was the best goalkeeper for the National team between 1976 and 1978?
Three names often come to mind, Wendell Sandiford, Denzil Thompson and Vibert DeFreitas.
Sandiford graduated from the Inter Guiana Games series in 1973, 1974 and 1975. His club mate Denzil Thompson, who was also selected in the 1973-1974 Inter Guiana Games squad, was Sandiford’s backup in both series.
While both Pele FC custodians were exposed to International Youth tournaments, DeFreitas, who originated from the Gold Mining Town of Bartica, arrived on the International scene with limited exposure.
He made his hometown proud when he was included in Guyana’s first World Cup training squad in 1975. He experienced limited time in his first and second series against Bare of Brazil and Texaco of Trinidad and Tobago both series were contested at Camp Ayanganna.
DeFreitas’ first tour overseas was in January, 1976 to Brazil with the World Cup squad. After the Brazilian tour, DeFreitas appeared in four friendly Internationals, against Cuba at Mackenzie Sports Club ground, Burnham Park – New Amsterdam and GCC ground, Bourda.
His next International game was against the touring St. Mirren Division-One team from Scotland but Pele FC’s Wendell Sandiford was the man chosen for duties between the uprights.
Sandiford was also one of the reserves keepers when Guyana defeated Suriname 2-0 in a World Cup Qualifier at GCC on July 4, 1976. The selectors continued with Sandiford as their first choice goalkeeper for the return fixture in Paramaribo; Guyana lost that encounter 0-3 and exited the 1976 World Cup campaign.
DeFreitas’ next international call-up was October, 1976 for two friendly matches against Cura Coa at GCC. The following year, 1977, DeFreitas was the man between the uprights when Guyana defeated Trinidad and Tobago 2-1 at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground.
He got injured in the second match of the series at GCC which was drawn 1-1. With DeFreitas sidelined for the series finale, Trinidad took full advantage of the inexperienced Denzil Thompson and goals by Stever Khan and Leon Carpette gave the Soca Warriors a 2-0 victory and the series trophy.
DeFreitas returned to national duties and was spectacular against Barbados at the MSC ground where Guyana triumphed 2-0 in the series opener, October 1977. He was flawless in games two and three that were drawn 0-0. All those results were enough for Earl O’Neal’s men to lift the series trophy.
Cuba’s Under-23s was DeFreitas’ next international opponents in 1977; the tourist’s won the opener at the MSC ground 1-0 courtesy of a Francisco Lopes thunder bolt that gave DeFreitas no earthly chance in the 65th minute.
He was fearless in the second match that ended 1-1 at Burnham Park in New Amsterdam. DeFreitas was let down by Dennis Solomon in the third match at M.S.C Ground. Solomon pulled down a Cuban striker and Roberto Espinosa made no mistake with the penalty, equalizing for his team in the 74th minute for well earned draw.
DeFreitas’ heroics in the final contest at GFC inspired Guyana to a 2-1 triumph that leveled the series one all. The next year 1978, DeFreitas toured Barbados and Trinidad for Goodwill matches.
He was also the first choice keeper for International matches against Suriname in Paramaribo and at MSC against Kwang Tung Province and the touring Russian Textile team at GCC, Bourda.
Guyana played no international matches in 1979 so DeFreitas had to settle for Inter Sub Association and First Division matches. Guyana returned to World Cup action in 1980 and DeFreitas and Denzil Thompson were the men that shared goalkeeping duties in qualifiers against Grenada, Suriname and Cuba.
In the Cuba encounter at the MSC ground, Guyana lost 0-3 and that was DeFreitas’ last match in National colours.
International Tours
1976   Brazil with World Cup Squad
1976   Suriname World Cup Qualifier
1978    Barbados Goodwill Tour
1978    Trinidad Goodwill Tour
1978    Suriname Nations Cup
1980    Grenada World Cup Qualifier
1980    Suriname World Cup Qualifier
1980    Trinidad two Friendly Internationals
1980    Cuba World Cup Qualifier

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Vibert ‘Bartica’ DeFreitas – Former Guyana Int. 1976 – 1980

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Vibert ‘Bartica’ DeFreitas – Former Guyana Int. 1976 – 1980

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