Shaquille Pinas: Al Kholood history-maker steering Suriname World Cup wish | OneFootball

For Shaquille Pinas, weeks in football might not come any better than what he has - and may be about to - experience.

The 28-year-old defender will no doubt still be on cloud nine after helping Al Kholood create history last Wednesday, the Ar Rass club reaching their first King’s Cup final - and knocking out defending champions, and current Roshn Saudi League title-holders, Al Ittihad no less.

Twice coming twice from behind - check out Adam Berry’s injury-time equaliser - Al Kholood forced the Jeddah giants to a penalty shootout, where Juan Pablo Cozzani proved the hero.

With a place in the record books on the line, the Argentine goalkeeper saved spot-kicks from Houssem Aouar and Moussa Diaby. Understandably, it sparked wild celebrations among the Al Kholood players, staff and fans.

It was a red-letter day for the red half of Ar Rass, but hard to believe as it might be, things might only get better for Pinas in the week ahead.

That’s because the former Hammarby and ADO Den Haag defender is part of the Suriname squad hoping to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the very first time.

While part of mainland South America, the former Dutch colony competes as part of CONCACAF, the confederation for North and Central America, as well as the Caribbean islands. Pinas, like almost all his teammates, was born and raised in the Netherlands.

The fact Pinas and Suriname are even here is astonishing. With a population of little more than 600,000, they would become one of the smallest countries to ever book a spot at football’s showpiece event - and, at 122nd in the world, the lowest-ranked nation since FIFA's standings were introduced (New Caledonia, permitting).

Simply getting to this point, in fact, has been full of the unexpected. Suriname needed a 93rd-minute goal to seal their progression on a crazy final day of CONCACAF qualifiers, with Nicolas Samayoa’s effort in the 3-1 defeat to Guatemala anything but consolation; it took Suriname ahead of Honduras on goals scored.

Now two matches from achieving their ultimate dream, it will for sure be a difficult challenge for Pinas and colleagues. First, they must overcome Bolivia on Thursday night in Mexico. Win that, and they then face Iraq in the final play-off. The winners then advance to this summer’s global finals in North America.

Make it through that Bolivia test - no mean feat - and Pinas could against go up against fellow RSL talent Ali Jasim of Al Najmah, who has been named in Iraq’s squad as the Lions of Mesopotamia eye their first World Cup appearance since 1986.

In Pinas, though, Suriname have a player primed for battle. Indeed, he has featured in every game for manager Henk ten Cate - the vastly experienced Dutchman has RSL links himself having previously coached Al Ittihad - and served as vice-captain. Both underline his importance to the national team.

That leadership has been invaluable for Al Kholood this season, especially since the departure of then-captain, William Troost-Ekong, in January. The Nigerian was a huge presence on the pitch, and arguably an even greater one off it.

Yet Pinas has helped fill that void, that extra responsibility sitting comfortably on his shoulders as Des Buckingham’s side look to maintain their place in the top flight for a third successive season. As it stands, with eight rounds remaining, Al Kholood are two spots and six points clear of the relegation zone.

In central defence, Pinas has since built up a solid partnership with Edgaras Utkus, who arrived from Cercles Brugge during the winter transfer window to replace Troost-Ekong.

Marshalling the backline, Pinas ranks second at Al Kholood in the 2025-26 RSL for clearances, with 89, behind Slovakia international Norbert Gyomber. It’s worth noting the latter is confronted this week with a FIFA World Cup play-off, as well, reinforcing Al Kholood’s rapid rise.

Meanwhile, Pinas comes in second also at his club for passes (986) - only John Buckey has offered more - while, impressively for a defender, he has created the third-most chances for his team this season, with 23.

Admittedly, Al Kholood have conceded their fair share of goals (48), but this was always going to represent a year of transition given a new ownership fronted by Ben Harburg. The ambitious American set a target this season of survival; anything else would be a bonus.

The King’s Cup final, which will be contested with 2023-24 RSL champions Al Hilal, constitutes a pretty significant one at that.

However, professional footballers always yearn for more. It won’t simply be enough to make the final; Pinas will be determined to play his part in Al Kholood winning it.

The same, no doubt, goes for the FIFA Interconfederation Play-offs this week. Few would’ve had Suriname progressing to this point, not least as the seconds ticked down on that final day against Guatemala and elimination appeared inevitable.

But football has a penchant for conjuring the remarkable. And, having already stunned the sport once this past week, Pinas will be looking to do the same again - by creating history for his country.