“I thought the match was tough and I know that it was not a nice match for the audience. It was not a sparkling match, but in the end you want to win. I speak from experience, as I have lost these types of matches in the past.” That was the reaction of national coach Henk Fraser after the national football selection of Suriname achieved a 2-1 victory over Martinique in the Concacaf Nations League on Monday evening.
Text and image Desney Romeo
Fraser told the press afterwards that Natio had expected the opponent to start with five defenders, which was the case. Martinique played in a 5-2-2-1 system. According to him, Suriname was prepared for this, but some things hindered the national selection. “We had low ball circulation, especially in the first half. We did not implement a number of factors enough. In addition, we initially played with two controllers,” he summarized. During the break it was decided to do things differently. “We took it to one inspector and Justin (Lonwijk, … ed.) came along.”
“I hate conceding a goal from a set piece. I have an unpleasant feeling that this happened”
National national coach Henk Fraser
Lonwijk, who scored the first goal for Suriname, indicated that he was happy to be able to score for the national selection, also because he had also succeeded in the first game against Honduras. “I’m happy that I could be important and contribute to the victory.”
Annoying feeling
Fraser also took matters into his own hands. “If I have to be honest, perhaps I should have changed sooner. But another problem is that I also have to take the players’ playing time into account. I would have liked to give fewer playing minutes to certain players, which unfortunately did not work out,” he refers to Myenty Abena, Kenneth Paal and Gyrano Kerk, among others. After the 2-0, Fraser hoped for the 3-0, so that he could still bring the players to the side. “But they get back into the game from a corner.”
Fraser was confronted with the fact that goal difference can ultimately be decisive for direct qualification for the Gold Cup and that 2-1 is a poor score. “I really think it’s terrible the way in which the goal was conceded from a set piece. Despite the fact that these types of situations fifty-fifty The Martinique player was in good shape. That’s why I find it terrible to concede a goal from a set piece. I have a bad feeling that this happened.”
Guatemala
Suriname now awaits a duel with Guatemala. “You see that we are not only getting closer to these teams, but we are also competitive. The intention is to continue to grow. Winning against Honduras has never happened before. We want to perform against countries that have been to the World Cup, but they will not be easy matches anyway,” the national coach looks ahead.
Asked whether there is a certain pressure or a thought of revenge since Suriname missed out on direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup due to the loss against Guatemala, Frarser replied diplomatically. “Every match is a different match and I think there are now other players involved. I am not a man of revenge, I always aim to win and they certainly want that too.”
Defensive intentions
In the Franklin Essed Stadium it was clear that Martinique traveled to Suriname to keep everything at the back as close as possible and try to strike via counters. In the thirteenth minute it was Flourent Poulolo who forced Natio goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen into action in such a game situation.
The guests almost took the lead in the 53rd minute, after Janis Artiste went past Abena. However, in a favorable position he shot past the goal. A minute later it was a hit for Suriname. Lonwijk, who was brought on for Dhoraso Klas immediately after the break, immediately took the ball full on his instep during a scrimmage and surprised Martinique keeper Xavier Lenogue: 1-0.
In the 68th minute Lonwijk brought the ball in front of the goal. Poulolo headed the ball poorly, giving Kerk possession of the ball and passing Lenogue for the second time: 2-0. In the 81st minute, Martinique came back into the match, after Boris Moltenis was able to head in freely after a corner kick.
A number of substitutions were made at Suriname, with Denzel Jubitana, Richonell Margaret and Gleofilo Vlijter coming on for Immanuel Pherai, Che-fyr Nunnely and Denilho Cleonisse. Vlijter had the score 3-1 shortly before the end, but he shot at Lenogue, leaving the score at 2-1.
National coach Fabien Mercadal indicated after the match that he was very proud of his boys, as they arrived in Suriname late on Sunday evening after a fifteen-hour journey. However, they played with heart and soul and made it quite difficult for Suriname. According to him, Martinique is engaged in a process of renewal around the national team.
Suriname is at the top in group B with six points after two matches. Jamaica lost at home to Honduras and has three points after two games. Honduras also has three out of two.
