(ABOVE) Dean Gorre (left) and Jamaal Shabazz, the head coaches of Suriname and Guyana, respectively, shake hands on April 2015.

PARAMARIBO, Suriname – The word ‘expectant’ would best describe Dean Gorre’s mood ahead of his first game in charge of Suriname, when it hosts neighboring Guyana in an international friendly on Thursday at Andre Kamperveen Stadium.

Both nations are preparing for round two play of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying for Russia 2018.  In the first of two-game series, the Surinamese will play at Nicaragua on June 7, while Guyana visits St. Vincent & the Grenadines three days later.

Born in Suriname, but raised in Europe, Gorre was appointed as head coach on a permanent basis in February.

“I’ve got a big squad,” said the 44-year-old, a former standout with Netherlands powers Feyenoord and Ajax.  “From that squad everybody will get minutes in the game.  We want to make a very competitive game and to win same as Guyana because I already have people chasing me on the street saying ‘you are not allowed to lose,’ so you can understand the amount of pressure I’ve got on my shoulders.”

The former Scottish Football Association youth coach never played for Suriname, but represented the Netherlands at the U19, U20 and U23 levels.

The Suriname Voetbal Bond (SVB) -- headed by President John Krishnadath – and the government of Suriname are examining the issue of dual-citizenship for Dutch-born players with Surinamese background.

Gorre also disclosed that that the SVB has two national teams in training, one based in the Netherlands and another in Suriname.

“We are looking to get dual nationality in Suriname, so we got a team in Holland with players of Suriname roots and we got a team here with the local boys,” he finished.  “If the authorities are working with us, soon we’ll be able to mix the international players with Suriname background to play for us.”