by Desney Romeo
PARAMARIBO — Henk Fraser’s debut as national coach has been successful. In Estadio Nacional Chelato Uclés in Tegucigalpa, the national football selection of Suriname achieved its first official victory over Honduras: 3-2. After the match Fraser gave, in conversation with the True Time, indicates that if he looks at the short preparation that the team has had, he should not be dissatisfied.
What he didn’t like about his debut was the way Honduras scored two goals in a short period of time. Natio was on the field with ten men at the time because there was a small speck of blood on Kenneth Paal’s shirt, which he had to change. “In that short period you concede two goals. I’m disappointed! On the other hand, it is a rule, but in this case it was really a small blood spatter. You lose control of the match partly because of the ref and partly because of yourself, but luckily we also get the equalizer before half time.”
“I am satisfied! We also played excellent defensively and we did not encounter any problems in the final phase”
At halftime, the national coach indicated to the boys that they should play more compactly and keep the ball in the team better. “And that ultimately went very well. The organization was better and possession of the ball was also very important.”
Tough period ahead
Asked whether he is overall satisfied with the performance, Fraser is clear: “I am satisfied! We also played excellent defensively and in the final phase we did not encounter any problems at all. No chances were given away.”
According to the national coach, the substitutes (Denilho Cleonise, Stefano Denswil, Immanuel Pherai, Gleofilo Vlijter and Dhoraso Klas, … ed.) done very well. “And I think it will be important, because we have to play four matches in a short period and I don’t do that with two teams. It will be a really tough period and I also have to take the players into account.”
Fraser judged opponent Honduras to be very good. “I had watched them against Argentina, Peru and Costa Rica and I knew they were good. Physically strong team and you could also see that with their second goal, which was scored between Abena and Balker, certainly not our weakest boys. That says a lot.”
