Update with statements from Suriname's coach and player, allegations of racist insults, and reaction from El Salvador's coach.
Suriname surprised El Salvador 2-1 on Monday in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, in a match where the Caribbean team complained of racist insults. In another match, Panama and Guatemala drew 1-1.
The goals of the match, played at the Cuscatlán stadium in San Salvador, were scored by Radinio Balker (12) and Dhoraso Klas (81) for the visitors, while Anfernee Dijksteel (73, against) scored the local goal.
In the other match, Panama and Guatemala drew at Rommel Fernández Stadium in the Panamanian capital, with goals from Óscar Santis for the Guatemalans and Carlos Harvey for the home side.
With these results, Suriname leads Group A with 4 points, followed by El Salvador with 3, Panama with two, and Guatemala with one.
In this final phase, the leader of each of the three groups into which twelve teams were divided will qualify directly for the World Cup in North America, while the two best runners-up will advance to an intercontinental playoff.
Surinamese national team coach Stanley Menzo and defender Shaquile Pinas reported racist insults from fans at the Cuscatlán stadium.
"You have to ask why your fans are shouting 'black' at my players. Why are they doing that?" Menzo asked at a press conference when a reporter asked if the Surinamese players had clashed with the home crowd.
"As the coach said, if you say black and monkey, this kind of thing... I don't find it funny," Pinas added.
In the run-up, El Salvador's coach, Colombian Hernán Darío Gómez, had warned that history does not decide matches, referring to the fact that his team has participated in two World Cups (Mexico-1970 and Spain-1982) and Suriname in none.
No sooner said than done. Suriname not only won, they also dictated the pace, controlled possession, and stole the calm and order from a very sketchy opponent.
Balker, in the 12th minute, silenced the stadium with a precise header from a corner kick.
The Salvadorans dreamed of a comeback in the 29th minute, but Mexican referee Adonai Escobedo disallowed a goal by Bryan Gil for handball after a VAR review.
In the 73rd minute, Dijksteel scored an own goal, but eight minutes later a shot from Klas proved "Bolillo" Gómez right: history doesn't win games.
"It's a knockout round, no one (in the group) has six points yet... with three (points) we're still in the fight," said Gómez.
In the other match, Panama failed to play its game and once again lacked firepower in front of goal. In the first half, the Panamanians looked disjointed and couldn't develop their play on the wings.
In the 35th minute, Santis put his team ahead after taking advantage of a rebound, but the joy was short-lived for the Guatemalan team.
Just two minutes later, Harvey, from a corner kick, leaped over two opponents to send the ball into the net with a header.
In the second half, Panama was better, but was again inaccurate in front of the opponent's goal, with several shots going wide.
Post a Comment