Suriname’s World Cup Dreams Stay Alive with Late Equalizer
PARAMARIBO, Suriname — The match at Franklin Essed Stadion ended, yet no one left their seats. The drums and horns played on as the Suriname men’s national team took a celebratory lap around the pitch.
Known as the Natio, the home team seemed destined for defeat in the World Cup qualifying round against Guatemala, but a dramatic last-minute goal from Virgil Misidjan salvaged a 1-1 draw. Misidjan’s powerful shot from outside the box barely missed hitting his own goalkeeper, Etienne Vaessen, who had rushed forward during a corner kick. Guatemala’s keeper, Nicholas Hagen, could only watch as it zipped past him to equalize the score.
With the qualifying campaign halfway through, Suriname currently leads Group A. This marks the nation’s greatest chance at World Cup qualification since the 1970s, and if they maintain their position for three more matches, a World Cup spot could be theirs.
Following Friday’s match, Vaessen found himself in a crowd of fans and children eagerly seeking selfies and autographs. Despite their fame as national heroes, Vaessen and Misidjan were both born outside Suriname, with only forward Gleofilo Vlijter having roots in the homeland. The majority of the squad is of Dutch descent, born during the time when the Netherlands colonized Suriname.
Yet the excitement in the stadium highlighted that this is indeed Suriname’s team.
Vaessen shared with ESPN, “Football is loved here. Initially, there were doubts because the players come from Europe, but I feel connected to this place. I’m committed to this country, and the fans appreciate that. A simple selfie can make a difference.”
Soccer has deep historical ties in Suriname. The club team Transvaal twice claimed the Concacaf Champions Cup, and players from Suriname have had a significant impact on Dutch football, including legends like Edgar Davids and Clarence Seedorf. However, for many years, the sport in Suriname lost momentum.
It wasn’t until the government changed its passport policies ahead of the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup, allowing players to retain their dual nationality, that interest in representing the national team surged. This shift was initiated by Stanley Menzo’s predecessor, Dean Gorré, who advocated for changes that would benefit not only soccer but other Olympic sports as well.
Gorré recalled, “We qualified for the Gold Cup with amateur players, which was amazing. I conveyed to government officials how vital it is for us to represent Suriname at the highest level.” This led to a wave of players eager to don the national jersey and pursue World Cup ambitions.
The progress has sparked enthusiasm among the Surinamese, especially for Menzo, who recalls fond memories from his youth in Paramaribo and his time playing for Ajax under Johan Cruyff.
Reflecting on his return, Menzo remarked, “When I left in 1971, Suriname was flourishing. Upon returning, I witnessed a decline.” Post-independence in 1975 led to turmoil, including a military coup in 1980 that left a lasting impact on the nation.
Tragedy struck in 1989 when Surinam Airways Flight 764 crashed, killing nearly 180 people, including members of a team called the Colorful Eleven. Menzo, who had planned to be part of that tournament, narrowly missed the flight.
Today, the Natio brings hope to Suriname, having drawn with Panama and defeated El Salvador, in addition to the recent draw with Guatemala.
“We’re aiming to bring positivity through football,” Menzo emphasized. “This sport belongs to everyone. The people are proud to see their team succeed; we’ve shifted the narrative about Suriname.”
Support from the Dutch-Surinamese community is evident. Winger Sheraldo Becker stated, “People in Amsterdam constantly discuss our chance to qualify. They want us to succeed for them, and we aim to deliver for our country.”
Interest in Suriname’s football has also influenced others, including UEFA Champions League winner Georginio Wijnaldum, who is investing in projects to improve local education. Though Wijnaldum cannot play for Suriname due to his experience with the Dutch national team, he showed his support by wearing a national jersey during the match.
A potential World Cup qualification could change the landscape for all Surinamese sports, encouraging youth talent and investment. Marketing professional Jean-Pierre Ristra suggested, “Qualification would bring global attention and create more opportunities for young athletes in different sports.”
Suriname is set to face Panama again on Tuesday, with a chance to extend their lead in the group. The last time Suriname was close to the World Cup was in 1977, when they participated in the Concacaf Championship but did not qualify.
This group of players seeks to revive Suriname’s football legacy, and Menzo feels privileged to be part of this journey. “I carry the legacy forward and believe we are on the cusp of something great,” he concluded.
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