Joel Piroe named by Suriname alongside ex-Leeds striker Jay-Roy Grot for World Cup deciders | OneFootball

Leeds United forward Joel Piroe is set for a Suriname debut after receiving a first call-up for this month’s World Cup deciders.

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, the 26-year-old switched allegiance earlier this year after representing the Netherlands at youth level, qualifying for Suriname through his father.

Henk ten Cate’s side face Bolivia in Guadalupe on Thursday, 26 March, and victory would set up a qualifying decider against Iraq the following week. Suriname are two wins from a first ever World Cup.

Piroe said in January that choosing Suriname made his father proud and that he wants to help write history with the national team. He has visited regularly and spoke about carrying the country’s joyful, outgoing culture onto the pitch.

He will travel after Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Brentford, having recently netted his first goal of the season in a 3-0 FA Cup win over Norwich City. Former Leeds striker Hasselbaink is among Ten Cate’s assistants.

Jay-Roy Grot is also included in the 26-man squad. The 28-year-old, who came through the Netherlands youth ranks, switched allegiance and debuted for Suriname last year. He scored one goal in 23 Leeds appearances in 2017/18, moved to VfL Osnabruck in February 2021 and now plays for Odense Boldklub, and he could partner Piroe later this month.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk