Pele thrills Jamaican fans in historic Stadium showdown

History was made at the National Stadium as Pele, the King of Football, graced Jamaican soil, captivating a crowd of 30,000 eager fans in a match that saw his legendary Brazilian Santos Club face off against Cavaliers International. The excitement was electric as Pele became the first in his sport to receive the Key to Kingston, marking a momentous occasion for football. 

Published Monday, February 1, 1971
 
Day with Pele, Santos  at Stadium

 
By Jack Anderson
 
MANY HISTORIC landmarks were created at the National Stadium yesterday afternoon.
First, PELE, King of the Soccer World, became the first of his clan to receive the Key of Kingston.
Then he came, and his Brazilian Santos Club, whose name he had made as famous as himself around the world, played for the first time before a local crowd.
And what a crowd! A kaleidoscopic 30,000 in the fine afternoon sun. The next largest I have seen in our stadium since the sprint events on Monday night of the 1962 Central American Games, and then it was packed to overflowing.
And with prices going yesterday from $10 to $1 for six selections, undoubtedly the richest gate in our history for one afternoon! A lovely sight for sponsors Desnoes and Geddes.
The game itself, between Santos and the Cavaliers International side, was not always of the best standard – whatever is! But there were many flashes of excellent movements, particularly in the first half when Santos, having found their feet, kept play mostly in the homesters’ southern half.
Many Flashes
Pele, no doubt, played within himself, even to the extent of some protective pushing or elbowing in the tackle, both because of a tiring tour and in view of tomorrow’s match with the English FA Cup holders, CHELSEA, who arrived yesterday.
But there is no doubt about his class as a distributor and his almost magical touch with the ball when he got into the game and initiated movements that in each case spelled disaster for Cavaliers. And who can forget his bullet-like free kick 25 yards out that was just tipped over the bar!
Indeed, it was only the brilliant goalkeeping of the giant-like Veter Constantine that saved his side from humiliating defeat, so often at intervals their goal came under bombardment.
As for Cavaliers as a whole, their part in the game can be summed up this briefly: "Constantine, and a penalty (taken by Alan Cole) two minutes before the end, saved their face with a 1-1 draw."
Before that, they never gave the appearance of taking the initiative as victors, as for the most part, their front men bungled and were uncertain in movements, and worse yet when imported winger, Asher Welch, missed two golden opportunities in the first half by holding his shots.
Santos’ speedy dribbler and sometimes clever right-winger EDU was always a danger and justly gained his reward with a bob-and-weaving run in the second half that beat three defenders and the goalkeeper.

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