Joel Piroe vows response after Suriname play-off defeat on debut | OneFootball

Leeds United striker Joel Piroe has vowed Suriname will come back stronger after a proud but painful full international debut ended in a play-off defeat.

The player said in a post that it was a proud moment that did not match expectations and that he had felt huge support.

Born in the Netherlands, Piroe represented his country of birth up to under-20 level before switching allegiance in January to Suriname, qualifying through his father.

Chasing a first World Cup appearance, Suriname advanced from the CONCACAF qualifiers to the inter-confederation play-offs, drawing a semi-final against Bolivia, with the winners to face Iraq for a place at the finals.

Piroe went straight into the starting line-up for Friday’s tie and was heavily involved as Suriname led 1-0, but they were beaten 2-1, a result that ended their World Cup hopes.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk