::Grenada Sports::

[FOOTBALL]

Pedro Marrero Stadium, Havana, Cuba, October 25: Suriname scraped to a narrow 2-1 victory, to settle their Dutch derby against the Netherland Antilles in its second match of Group G in the Digicel Caribbean Championships.

The first half of the match was a war of attrition with neither side willing to commit themselves fully in attack. However, chances came and went with some frequency - but unfortunately neither side was able to find a clear channel to goal, and shot as though they were wearing clogs.

Wensly Christoph tested Pisas Marcello in goal first, with a dipping free-kick from the right side of the box that was finger-tipped over the bar for a corner by the flying Dutchman. Suriname continued to pressure without luck, as Marcello again denied the surging Surinamese with two reflex saves at close range.

In minute 15 it was the Netherland Antilles who had an opportunity, following a potentially embarrassing collision between Aloema in goal and central defender Malcolm Weibolt, Ashar Bernandus benefitted from the mix-up but couldn’t avoid the pile-up with his shot to goal.

Suriname’s best chance of the half came just two minutes before the break when Sergio Aroepa collected the ball in his own half, sped along the right flank before crossing to Christoph who had the chance to hit it first time, but instead allowed the ball to run onto his left foot before sending his shot skyward from five yards out.

The second half looked like more of the same up until minute 70 when Suriname secured its go ahead goal. Following Weibolt’s bolt towards the goal line on the left flank, Clifton Sandvliet’s shot was charged down in the box, but fell nicely for the cleverly positioned Cleven Wanabo to power home from seven yards.

Seven minutes later, Suriname increased its lead when Sandvliet cut inside from the left before rolling the ball into the path of Wanabo, who toe-poked coolly at the far post to see the ball nestle in the nether regions of the Netherland Antilles net.

The Netherland Antilles responded in minute 83, when Djarston Torbed went to bed on the penalty spot as the ball was played in from the right side and he failed to control it. Fortunately for the Netherland Antilles Rosario Demy, the central midfielder turned striker, was on hand to slot home at the near post and narrow Suriname’s lead.

Suriname sought to re-establish its two goal advantage in minute 90, when an alert Derrick Garden intercepted a loose pass from Rishendel Doran, and with a meadow to run into, set off at speed towards the Netherland Antilles’ net. A couple of neat step-over’s were enough to get him past the last defender, however, his low rasping shot could only find the outside of the far post.

Despite its dour start to this Dutch dilemma, Suriname was able to secure a vital victory, as it registered its first points of Group G at the expense of the Netherland Antilles, who ironically now hold a part of Suriname’s Digicel Caribbean Championships’ destiny in their hands as a win or a draw against Barbados in their final fixture would qualify Suriname in first place should they defeat favorites Cuba.

Suriname: 1. Ronny Clyde Aloema , 7. Sergio Orlano Aroepa (8. Vangellino Sastrodimedjo - min 73), 4. Marlon Wendel Felter, 3. Derrick Johan Garden, 2. Ferdinand H. Jap-A-Joe, 5. Malcolm Armand Weibolt (17. Furgil Waldi Ong-A-Fat - min 55), 9. Wensly Humbert Christoph, 6. Germaine Sergio Van Dijck (15. Jerome Stryder – min 61), 14. Cleven Roberto Wanabo, 10. Clifton Guno Sandvliet, 16. Petrus Eugene Apanta,

Subs: 12. Claudio Lodrick Pinas, 22. Andre Vincent Zebeda, 11. Hesron Egward Jeroe,

Netherland Antilles: 6. Chayron Anastasia, 10. Ashar Bernandus, 4. Mujoybert Delando, 12. Rishendel Doran, 14. Curly Hooi, 17. Rishendes Marceli (7. Everon Espacia - min 46), 2. Jervine Mook (16. Djarston Torbed - min 77), 18. Marcello Pisas, 8. Demy Rosario, 11. Soranley Tomsjansen, 15. Joel Victoria,

Subs: 1. Rowendy Summer, 9. Kevin Van Velhen, 3. Rugene Virginie

Referee: Kenville Holder (Cayman Islands)

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