Suriname U17s eye history

PANAMA CITY, Panama – In its first-ever CONCACAF Under-17 Championship appearance, Suriname (0W-1D-1L, 1 point) is positioned to advance beyond the group stage.

For that to happen, on Friday, the Surimamese must first beat Canada (0-0-2, 0) and then hope Cuba (1-1-0, 4) loses to first-place Costa Rica (2-0-0, 6). If both of those occur, then goal difference will come into play.

Head coach Rogillo Kolf has belief that his side – which was the last of the five Caribbean teams to qualify for the event in Panama – can take the next momentous step. It has played Cuba to a 1-1 draw and dropped a 3-0 decision to Costa Rica.

“In the tournament, thus far, we have not been embarrassed by any means,” said the 47-year-old. “We have gone toe-to-toe with some of the top teams in CONCACAF and we leave the pitch with our head held high.

“We have a precious point and once we can get our first win against Canada, then we would put ourselves in a good position.”

The Canadians have already been eliminated from contention after a pair of 2-1 losses, but even if Suriname is victorious, it will have no chance of progressing unless Cuba falls to Costa Rica.

“It can be said that fate is not in our own hands as if Cuba gets one point then that’s the end of the campaign, Kolf remarked. “But we have the earlier game, so if we can get a win, then the pressure will be on Cuba to perform as we will be on the same number of points. The players are up to the challenge and we are ready to show the region we can get a win as well.”