Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Nov 11, 2012 Sports
The series on footballers who represented Guyana in World Cup qualifying action by Statistician Charwayne Walker continues with Marlon DeSouza.
DeSouza will always remember the year 1978, not because of the Jim Jones massacre which sent shock waves throughout the length and breadth of Guyana, but because in 1978 the fearless defender played his first match in National Colours for the National under-23 team against the touring Chinese provisional team from Kwangtung at GFC.
As DeSouza recalled, his debut match was a nightmare, Kwangtung Province won 5 Nil. He played with more confidence in his second international against the touring Russian Textile Trade Union team that humbled Earl O’Neal’s men 5-Nil at GFC.
Guyana played no internationals in 1979, the skillful defender third senior international was a World Cup Qualifier Guyana won 5-2 against Grenada at GCC Bourda in March 1980.
He, Earl O’Neal, the late ‘Breezer’ Nedd, Gordon Brathwaite, ‘Dentist’ Williams and Aubrey Hudson shutdown the Grenadians in the return World Cup fixture which Guyana won 3-2 in St. George’s.
DeSouza’s fifth international was a one Nil World Cup loss to old rivals Suriname at GCC Bourda, September 1980. He was dropped for the return World Cup fixture that Guyana lost 4 Nil to Suriname in Paramaribo. After the beating in Suriname the selectors recalled the Star defender for two friendly internationals against Trinidad.
DeSouza played an integral role in both the opener that they drew one All, he setup the pass that Keith Smartt finished.
He was also outstanding in the final match of the series that Guyana lost 2-one in Port of Spain. DeSouza traveled to Havana where Guyana lost a World Cup Qualifier one Nil to Cuba.
In that encounter the Cuban crowd nickname DeSouza Chevy because he was moving like the motor vehicle idolised by the host nation at that time. His tenth international was the return World Cup fixture Castro’s men won three nil at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground.
Although he was superb in Demico League action for the Guyana Defence Force in 1981-1982, he had to settle for Sub Association duties because the then GFA failed to enter the National team in any International tournaments for two years.
Guyana returned to International Action in April 1983 and DeSouza’s first mission was Bridgetown the Barbados Capitol where he tormented the host strikers, Guyana drew that CFU eliminator one All.
He showed no mercy in the returned fixture at GCC where Guyana sent the Bajans packing with a commanding two Nil Victory.
His 13th international was a Nil All draw against Antigua and Barbuda at GCC Bourda. A fall out with National Coach Pug Wilson caused him and Dentist Williams to miss Guyana’s crucial CFU return fixture against Antigua in St. John’s.
Their absence was severely felt; Guyana suffered a humiliating 4-Nil thrashing with Everton Gonsalves scoring all four of Antigua’s goals.
That results also ended Guyana 1983 CFU campaign after the Antigua debacle, DeSouza was recalled to the National team for two friendly internationals against Trinidad and Tobago in Port of Spain that was is 14th and 15th Caps.
The following year 1984, Lennox Arthur was the man calling plays for the national team and DeSouza’s first match under the guidance of Arthur ended in a two Nil Trinidad victory at GCC Bourda. The star defender was tactical in the return game in Port of Spain, but the Soca Warriors were still victorious by three goals to one.
He, ‘Ultimate Warrior’ Brathwaite, ‘Dentist’ Williams and Aubrey Hudson rough up the boys from Delhi when Guyana humbled India 3 Nil at GCC and according to DeSouza, that result is one of the best of his International career.
Although he was the Guyana MVP in his 19th International, a World Cup Qualifier, the award had little meaning because Suriname won one Nil in Paramaribo.
He was ruthless at the back in the return fixture that ended one all at GCC Bourda. His 21st and 22nd Internationals were two one-all draws against Suriname at GCC Bourda November 1984.
His 23rd and 24th Internationals were the best games of DeSouza’s career because in those encounters Guyana defeated Regional Power House Cuba for the first time in an international series.
He shutdown the Cuban strikers and Castro’s men were given no room to maneuver. After the conquering of Cuba, Lennox Arthur’s men next mission was French Guiana and again DeSouza operated like a mercenary in defence, Guyana won one Nil and eliminated the host from the 1985 CFU Championship.
His last outing in National Colours ended disappointedly, playing in front of his workmates at Camp Ayanganna DeSouza and company failed to control play at the back and Suriname needled Guyana out of 1985 CFU tournament.
De Souza played 26 Internationals in a career from 1978 to 1985.
International Tours
Grenada World Cup
Qualifier
Trinidad two Friendly
Cuba World Cup Qualifier
Barbados C.F.U
Championship
Trinidad two Friendlies
Trinidad Friendly
Suriname World Cup
Qualifier
1985 French Guiana C.F.U
Championship
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