Suriname earned a point against Costa Rica in the Nations League. Thanks in part to the constant threat from Sheraldo Becker, a victory came very close against the favorite to win the group (1-1).
Costa Rica quickly asserted their position as favorites in their Nations League match against Suriname, taking the lead early in the game.
In the twelfth minute, Manfred Ugalde, a forward who had recently made a high-profile transfer from FC Twente to Spartak Moscow, set up the opening goal. His well-placed pass found Josimar Alcocer, who finished clinically with his left foot to give Costa Rica the advantage, making it 0-1.
However, despite Costa Rica's early dominance, Suriname soon found their rhythm and began pushing back. Gleofilo Vlijter had a golden opportunity to equalize but missed his first big chance. Suriname didn't let that deter them, and shortly after, they managed to pull level. Sheraldo Becker, a constant thorn in Costa Rica's defense, created the equalizer with an impressive assist. He used the outside of his right foot to deliver a perfect ball to OFK Belgrade's forward, who calmly slotted it home from close range, leveling the score at 1-1. Suriname’s increasing confidence was evident as they began to match Costa Rica’s intensity.
The match took a dramatic turn early in the second half when Costa Rica's goal-scorer Alcocer was shown a red card, leaving his team to battle with just ten men for the remainder of the game. This gave Suriname a numerical advantage, and they began to capitalize on it, growing stronger with every passing minute. Sheraldo Becker was at the heart of every significant attacking move for Suriname. His dangerous shot was denied only by the sharp reflexes of Costa Rican goalkeeper Patrick Sequeira, and substitute Denzel Jubitana came agonizingly close to putting Suriname ahead, narrowly missing a chance at the far post after a cross from Becker.
Despite Suriname’s dominance in the later stages of the match, Costa Rica held firm and managed to escape with a draw, keeping their hopes alive in the group standings. The result leaves Costa Rica in second place, just behind Guatemala, while Suriname, with this crucial point, remains third in the group, only one point behind Costa Rica. It was a missed opportunity for Suriname, who had hoped to secure a famous victory, but they could take confidence from their performance.
Sint Maarten and Aruba
In other Nations League action, Sint Maarten delivered a standout performance, achieving an impressive victory against a supposedly stronger Puerto Rico side. Playing in Oranjestad, Sint Maarten managed to pull off a thrilling 3-2 win, with Chovanie Amatkarijo taking center stage for the home team. Amatkarijo scored twice, becoming the key figure in Sint Maarten’s triumph. This victory marked Sint Maarten’s second win in the current Nations League campaign, a significant achievement for the team.
Their previous victory came in September when they defeated Aruba 2-0. Meanwhile, Aruba’s struggles in the competition continued, as they suffered another defeat, losing 1-3 to Haiti in the early hours of Saturday. This loss further compounds Aruba’s difficult campaign, while Sint Maarten continues to build momentum with back-to-back wins.
The Nations League matches continue to offer thrilling and unpredictable results, as teams like Suriname and Sint Maarten demonstrate that they can compete with more established football nations. For Suriname, the draw against Costa Rica was both a testament to their growth as a footballing nation and a reminder of the fine margins that define international competition. Meanwhile, Sint Maarten's victories signal their increasing competitiveness in the region. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on these teams to see if they can maintain their momentum and continue to challenge the favorites in their respective groups.
