Sean Klaiber can look forward to his debut for Suriname. The 26-year-old right back of Ajax, who two weeks ago made his choice for Nationality announced, is in the 23-man squad for the Gold Cup. Klaiber seems anything but assured of a base place, given the competition in the right-back position.
In addition to Klaiber, national coach Dean Gorré has FC Groningen wingback Damil Dankerlui and Kelvin Leerdam of Inter Miami FC. In the last two international matches in the World Cup qualification, the latter had a base place as a right back. Before that, Leerdam played as a midfielder and Dankerlui was used as a right wing defender.
Ridgeciano Haps, who has now played two international matches for Suriname, is also in the selection for the Gold Cup. The 28-year-old left back therefore has to miss the first game of his club Feyenoord in the preliminary round of the Conference League. The team from Rotterdam will compete against the winner of the diptych between FK Decic and FK Drita on July 22 and 29.
No fewer than 14 of the 23 players from Suriname have experience in the Dutch Eredivisie. Warner Hahn, Ryan Donk, Diego Biseswar, Sheraldo Becker and Nigel Hasselbaink are among the mainstays. Suriname has to make it to the Gold Cup without Ramon Leeuwin, Tjaronn Chery, Shaquille Pinas, Myenty Abena and Mitchell te Vrede.
Suriname is in the Gold Cup in Group C, which includes at least Jamaica and Costa Rica. On July 6, it will become clear which country will qualify fourth for the group via the preliminary rounds. The top two countries in the group qualify for the quarterfinals. Curaçao, the United States, Canada, Mexico, among others, are also active in the tournament.
The complete selection of Suriname:
Target: Warner Hahn (Anderlecht), Ishan Kort (Almere City FC), Claidel Kohinor (Robinhood)
Defense: Damil Dankerlui (FC Groningen), Ryan Donk (Galatasaray), Ridgeciano Haps (Feyenoord), Sean Klaiber (Ajax), Anduelo Amoeferie (Inter Moengotapoe), Albert Nibte (Leo Victor), Dion Malone (NAC Breda), Kelvin Leerdam (Inter Miami FC)
Midfield: Ryan Koolwijk (Almere City), Diego Biseswar (Apollon Limassol), Mitchell Donald (Erzurumspor), Roland Alberg (Hyderabad FC), Sergino Eduard (Inter Moengotapoe)
Attack: Sheraldo Becker (1. FC Union Berlin), Gleofilo Vlijter (Beitar Jerusalem), Nigel Hasselbaink (Bnei Sakhnin), Florian Jozefzoon (Rotherham), Ivenzo Comvalius (NK Dugopolje), Alvaro Verwey (WBC), Dimitrie Apai (W Connection).