The last time Guyana defeated Trinidad & Tobago (the Soca Warriors) at the senior international level was September 22, 1977 at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground. The two countries were contesting a three match series as part of the Guyana Football Association 75th Anniversary celebration.
Game number two produced the most excitement in the series. Guyana, buoyed by the Mackenzie triumph, came out blazing at the world famous GCC and immediately had the ‘Soca Warriors’ on the back foot when Vibert ‘Durdy’ Butts scored and had the capacity crowd in a frenzy.
That celebration was short-lived as the ‘Soca Warriors’ equalized. Guyana’s Keith ‘Wiler’ Niles goal gave the Guyanese team the ascendancy, but before the fat lady started to sing, a Trinidadian striker scored a penalty to formalise a memorable draw.
Trinidad & Tobago wrapped up the series with a commanding two nil victory in game number three at the same venue.
The last national team/squad that defeated Trinidad & Tobago at the senior international level since (1977) was:
Earl O’Neal - Captain - Thomas United
Terry ‘Suzuki’ Nichols - Pele
Vibert ‘Durdy’ Butts - Pele
Gordon ‘Ultimate Warrior’ Braithwaite - Pele
Keith ‘Wiler’ Niles - Pele
Patrick ‘Labba’ Barton - Pele
Denzil ‘Hunky’ Brains’ Thompson - Pele (Goalkeeper)
Wendell Sandiford - Pele (Goalkeeper)
Cardo Williams - Santos
Clive ‘Breezer’ Nedd - Santos (deceased)
Maurice Enmore - Santos
Walter ‘Yam’ Prince - Santos
James Thompson - Santos
Vibert DeFreitas - YMCA
David Woolford - GFC
Bunny Anthony - YMCA
Neville Johnson - YMCA
Dennis Solomon- Linden/Botofago
Oral Samuels - Cougars Berbice
Gerald Francisco - Coach
Ron La Forest was voted Trinidad & Tobago’s most valuable player, while Gordon Braithwaite ‘Ultimate Warrior’ was Guyana’s MVP. This was the ‘Ultimate Warrior’s’ first international series.
The ‘Land of Many Waters’ came close at breaking the Trini jinks (2008) at the Marvin Lee Stadium in Trinidad. Leading one nil with five minutes left in regulation time, the Guyanese led this time by Charles “Lily” Pollard were once again denied victory when Trinidadian Devon Jorsling scored to earn the “Soca Warriors” a well deserved draw.
That result also eliminated Guyana from the 2008 Digicel Caribbean Cup championship.
The Trinidad & Tobago National team that toured Guyana in 1977 was:
Russell Tesheira - Captain
John Granville - Goalkeeper
Michael Maurice - Goalkeeper
Ronald La Forest
Steve Khan
Kendall Walkes
Godfrey Harris
Leon Carpette
Curtis Murrell
Carlyle Andrews
Robert Joseph
Renwick Williams
Bede Archibald
Earl Carter - Goalkeeper
Gordon Husbands
Steve Pierre
Gordon Homer