Puerto Rico Prevails in Thrilling Shootout Beating Suriname 4-3, Advances to Second Round
Puerto Rico Survived 4-3 in Penalty Shootout of a Dangerous Suriname Team.
Photo: Gasner Delvarin Jr.
Puerto Rico’s bench gets on the pitch to celebrate the team’s victory over Suriname in a penalty shootout 4-3
June 18, 2023
Gasner Delvarin Jr, Writer
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. - In a late showdown at DRV PNK Stadium on Saturday night, Puerto Rico demonstrated their strength by securing a spot in the second round of the Gold Cup Prelims with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Suriname in a penalty shootout.
After 90 minutes of goalless action, Puerto Rico emerged as the triumphant team.
Early stages of the match, Suriname showcased how dangerous they can be and kept Puerto Rico on its back heels with occasional threats that could have led to goals.
Suriname's forward Sheraldo Becker, in the 4th minute, slipped past the defense from a through ball into the penalty box and dribbled past the goalkeeper Joel Serrano but shot the ball off-target to the left.
The Suriboys had another opportunity in the 8th minute on a free kick with Tjaronn Chery, but Serrano was all over the ball to save it easily.
Photo: Gasner Delvarin Jr
Puerto Rico Goalkeeper Sebastian Cutler after stopping a penalty kick versus Suriname
The Puerto Ricans had the twelfth men in their corner loudly cheering for them and gradually gained momentum in the game as they held firm on defense. They responded with a free kick on target that Devin Vega struck in the near post in the 13th minute, but Surinam's goalkeeper Warner Hahn deviated out for a corner awarded to Puerto Rico.
Suriname was determined on attacks and kept the pressure on Puerto Rico's defense. The most pivotal opportunity of the first half came for them when Shaquille Pinas's header from a corner inside the goal area hit the post in the 35th minute.
Despite the high ball possession of the Suriboys at 53% to El Huracan Azul at 47%, who also took five corners to Puerto Rico's two, the first half finished 0-0.
Surinam developed numerous other chances in the attacks in the second half but failed to capitalize.
A clear chance for Puerto Rico was when Gerald Diaz received the ball from a pass from Ricardo Rivera. He made the first touch on the ball just outside the top of the 4-yard from the goal line in the 75th minute, but the defender, Anfernee Dijksteel, kicked the ball away for a Puerto Rico's corner.
Suriname's played well on the attack throughout the game, creating set-up pieces until the end.
In the 89th minute, Yanic Wildschut almost with a dagger from a set-up play, but his shot drifted high from about the 18-yard.
With 9 minutes additional, in the 95th minute, Suriname's defender Leo Abena hit a solid header on target that almost stuns Puerto Rico, but thanks to Serrano's quick reaction to deflect it out for a corner.
Puerto Rico made a tactical substitution just before the end of extra time by bringing their goalkeeper Sebastian Cutler in for Serrano before heading to the penalty shootout.
This tactical decision proved to be a masterstroke. After three rounds of penalties, Cutler made a crucial save for the team after the score was level at 2-2, with each team missing one shot. Diaz, the next shooter up, confidently converted his penalty, propelling Puerto Rico into the next round.
Their next challenge awaits as they square off against Martinique in the second preliminary round, vying for a coveted spot in the group stage of the 2023 Gold Cup.
2023 Concacaf Gold Cup, Gerald Diaz, Ricardo Rivera, Sebastian Cutler, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Gasner Delvarin Jr., Sports Action Rundown