Joel Piroe picked by Suriname with Jay-Roy Grot for World Cup deciders | OneFootball

Leeds United striker Joel Piroe has been called up by Suriname for this month’s decisive international window and could debut as they chase a first ever World Cup.

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, Henk ten Cate’s 26-man squad face Bolivia in Guadalupe on Thursday 26 March, and victory would set up a qualifying decider against Iraq the following week.

Piroe switched allegiance earlier this year after representing the Netherlands at youth level, having been born there. Eligible through his father, the 26-year-old had not played international football since under-20 level and this is his first senior call-up.

In January he said he had weighed up the decision, that his father’s pride mattered and that he wants to help Suriname make history. He described frequent visits to the country and a strong connection with its joyful, outgoing culture that he carries onto the pitch.

He will link up with the national team after Saturday’s Premier League trip to Brentford, having recently scored his first goal of the season in a 3-0 FA Cup win over Norwich City. With Suriname he will also work with former Leeds striker Hasselbaink, one of Ten Cate’s assistants.

Also included is former Elland Road forward Jay-Roy Grot. The 28-year-old joined Leeds from NEC Nijmegen in 2017, scored once in 23 games in 2017/18, then left for German second-tier side VfL Osnabruck in February 2021.

Now with Danish Superliga club Odense Boldklub, Grot has two goals in 11 matches this season and could partner Piroe later this month.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk