Match preview: Suriname vs. Guyana

Game: Suriname vs. Guyana

Date: Saturday, October 8th

Time: 3:30 PM EDT, 3:30 PM GYT 4:30 PM SRT

Venue: André Kamperveen Stadion (Paramaribo, Suriname)

Television: None

Streaming: None

The third round of qualifying for the 2017 Caribbean Cup will finally get under way for Group 1, as Suriname is set to host Guyana on Saturday. Hurricane Matthew forced the opening match between Jamaica and Suriname to be postponed, so this match will help set the tone for the rest of the group.

Suriname was able to advance by virtue of having a better goal differential against Guadeloupe in their two matches. Saint Martin was to be the third team in the group, but withdrew. Suriname is almost entirely composed of young players from the Surinamese Hoofdklasse (First Division), with the only player not playing domestically is Dimitrie Apai, who plays with W Connection in Trinidad. Suriname is known for not allowing dual-nationals to play.

Guyana comes into the match leading the qualifying in scoring with 17 goals, due in part to a 7 goal outburst against Anguilla. For this round, Golden Jaguars manager Jamal Shabazz has brought in some new players from abroad including Chris Nurse from Puerto Rico FC and Warren Creavalle from the Philadelphia Union.

Guyana should be the favorite for this even though the match will take place in neighboring Suriname. The Golden Jaguars can not be caught looking ahead to their match against defending Caribbean Cup champions Jamaica. Suriname’s best bet is to try to get an early goal and hunker down, otherwise it could be a long day for the Surinamese.