Suriname and Guatemala played out a goalless draw in the CONCACAF Nations League, League A - 2, at the Dr. Franklin Essed Stadium on Thursday evening. The match ended 0:0 after ninety minutes of play, with neither side able to break through despite Suriname's territorial dominance.
Both teams made changes at the interval, with Olger Escobar and Matthew Dominic Evans Wolff entering for Suriname in the 46th minute. The visitors saw Jorge Aparicio substituted after just eleven minutes of the second half, replaced by William Fajardo on the hour mark. Suriname brought on Denzel Jubitana and Richonell Margaret together in the 66th minute, while Jefry Bantes came on for the hosts in the 82nd minute.
Discipline became an issue as the match progressed. Justin Lonwijk picked up a yellow card for Suriname in the 56th minute, followed by Jorge Aparicio's booking for Guatemala eleven minutes later. Jose Rosales, Immanuel Pherai, and Stheven Robles·Ruiz all received cautions before the final whistle, with Aaron Herrera completing the list in the 90th minute.
The statistics told a story of one-sided possession without conversion. Suriname held 61 per cent of the ball and registered eight shots on target, yet created zero big chances. The Guatemalan goalkeeper made eight saves to keep his clean sheet, while the hosts played 505 passes compared to their opponents' 253. It was a match where the better side found no answer.
We had given a prediction of a Guatemala victory with 71 per cent confidence before kick-off. That forecast didn't materialise, and the reason was straightforward: Suriname's pressure created enough chances to worry, even if they couldn't finish. The draw leaves both sides with one point each from their opening League A - 2 fixture.
