When the Golden Jaguars clash with Indonesia in Jakarta on Saturday, it will be the third time the Land of Many Waters will engage a country from the continent of Asia.
Guyana’s first Asian foe was India, the year was 1984, the month was June and the venue was the world-famous Georgetown Cricket Club ground at Bourda.
The Indian National Football Team deplaned at Timehri International Airport buoyed by a two goals to one victory over Caribbean powerhouse Trinidad and Tobago but they had no answer for the debutant Western Tigers midfielder, the late Julian Edward Moe.
Guyana, playing under the captaincy of Gordon (Ultimate Warrior) Braithwaite, was held at a goalless first half by a confident Indian team led by Parminder Singh.
Ten minutes into the second half, Pele’s Terrence Archer sent the capacity crowd at Bourda into a frenzy when he scored with a power strike passed the Indian goal keeper, Pradeep Ghosh.
Fifteen minutes later, the artistic debutant Moe, who had earlier replaced his club mate; the late Trevor `Lanny’ Maxwell, scored a sensational goal to send his team up 2-0.
The artistic Moe completed a dream debut when he scored his second goal five minutes from full time.
Moe converted a penalty after his club mate Rupert (Chopeye) Gordon was fouled in the box. When the final whistle came the score read: Guyana 3, India nil.
The Golden Jaguars defeated India again in 2011 at the National Stadium Providence.
On that occasion, the hero was Vurlon Mills, who scored a memorable double. Would Guyana continue the Asian dominance on Saturday in Jakarta? Only time will tell.
The 1984 Historic Guyana Squad that played India: Gordon (Ultimate Warrior) Braithwaite- Captain, Trevor (Lanny) Maxwell –deceased, Julian Moe- deceased, Gerald Austin Williams- Goal keeper Leonard (Dentist) Williams, Aubrey Hudson- deceased, Neil Ochoa, Anthony Williams, Roger Alphonso, Bunny Anthony, Terrence Archer, Neville (Zipper) Johnson, Kenrick Wiltshire –Goal keeper, Rupert (Chopeye) Gordon, Selwyn Hutson, and Clyde (Breezer) Nedd- deceased Elson (Chiddy Kong) Hinckson, (deceased) and Lennox Arthur-Coach.
The Historic Indian National Team 1984;- Parminder Singh –Captain, a. Pradeep, B. Ghosh, Goalkeeper, Niak, Chowdry, T. Roy, L. Ashokan, M. Elumabar, M. Murrlidharan, J. Ahmed, K. Chofferjee, J. Chakrabosity, A. Lakshmanan, D. Ghosh, B. Mani, S. Kumar, A. Amalraj, A. Rodriguez, B. Akkum and L. Rudmar.
