Suriname’s national football team picked up another three points in the Concacaf Nations League in Paramaribo on Monday evening. Natio (Suriname’s national team) defeated Martinique 2-1 and has six points after two matches played.
Suriname versus Martinique ended in a victory for the home side on Monday, September 28. At the Dr. Ir. Franklin Essed Stadion, Natio won 2-1 after both countries went into half-time with the score still goalless. Justin Lonwijk and Gyrano Kerk scored Suriname’s goals, while Boris Moltenis pulled one back for Martinique.
Suriname had a lot of possession from the opening phase and tried to pin Martinique back in their own half for long periods. The visitors kept the spaces tight and mainly looked for opportunities through quick counterattacks. The first major chance went to Martinique, but goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen prevented Florent Poulolo from opening the scoring with a save.
Despite their dominance, Natio struggled to create clear-cut chances before half-time. Denilho Cleonise and Dhoarso Klas had opportunities, but were unable to decisively break through Martinique’s defence. An attempt by Kenny Lala at the other end also did not result in a goal. The score therefore remained 0-0 at half-time.
Suriname versus Martinique decided after half-time
National coach Henk Fraser made a change at half-time, bringing on Justin Lonwijk for Klas. That substitution quickly paid off. In the 54th minute, Lonwijk struck from distance and surprised goalkeeper Xavier Lenogue. Suriname took the lead and the team was given more space to look for a second goal.
The 2-0 followed in the 69th minute. Gyrano Kerk found the net and gave Natio more breathing room. At that point, the Surinamese team appeared to have control of the match, but Martinique continued looking for a way back.
Natio has collected the full six points after two Nations League matches.
Martinique makes closing stages tense
Martinique pulled one back in the 81st minute. Boris Moltenis headed home following a corner and made it 2-1. The visitors then pushed more emphatically for an equaliser, forcing Suriname to remain alert in the closing stages.
Natio held on, however. Substitute Richonell Margaret created danger for Suriname with several actions, but a third goal did not come. After the final whistle, Fraser’s team could celebrate their second victory in a short period.
Much possession for Natio
The match statistics underline that Suriname had the initiative for most of the match. Natio had about 68 percent possession and recorded fourteen attempts on goal against Martinique’s ten. Suriname also had a clear advantage in the number of touches in the penalty area.
Fraser had made several changes to his starting eleven compared with the away match against Honduras. Among others, Yannick Leliendal, Immanuel Pherai, Denilho Cleonise, Ché Nunnely and Dhoarso Klas started the match. It was a special moment for Nunnely, after his international switch to Suriname was officially registered shortly before this international break. Key News previously wrote about Nunnely’s switch to Natio.
Six points from first two matches
The victory over Martinique follows Suriname’s 3-2 win over Honduras in Tegucigalpa. Natio has thus collected six points after two matches in Group B of League A. The start under national coach Henk Fraser has therefore been strong in terms of results, with two wins in the first two matches of this Nations League campaign.
The Concacaf Nations League is also important this season for the route to the 2027 Gold Cup. According to Concacaf, the competition serves as a qualifying pathway for that tournament. As a result, the points Suriname collects in this group stage may carry significant weight later on.
Guatemala is next opponent
Suriname will play another home match at the Dr. Ir. Franklin Essed Stadion on Friday, October 2. Guatemala will be the opponent. A few days later, the two countries will meet again, this time in Guatemala. Those two matches could play an important role in the further standings within the group.
For Natio, attention therefore immediately turns back to recovery and preparation. With the win over Martinique, the team has created a good starting position, but the upcoming matches will show how firmly Suriname can maintain its place at the top of the group.
