HOUSTON, Texas.- Suriname and Guadeloupe are eliminated from Gold Cup contention, but they still have plenty to play for.
The two sides have given their all in their Group Stage matchups and their efforts haven't been reflected in their results. Both have a chance to finally get either a point or more and exit on a positive note.
Although this is the first time the two teams will meet in the Gold Cup, they have faced each other 16 times in other tournaments. Suriname has the lead in wins with seven, five draws while Guadeloupe has four wins.
Their last encounter was in the 2017 Caribbean Cup Qualifying Round, in a tight game Suriname took the triumph 3-2 against Guadeloupe.
Suriname has a chance at history Tuesday in its first Gold Cup appearance. The team could get its first three points in the competition should it hold on for its first-ever win. Suriname already took a big step by scoring its first goal in the competition against Costa Rica, but ultimately fell to a 2-1 defeat to Los Ticos.
The country’s momentous goal was scored by Striker Gleofilo Vlijter, who has played 11 games and scored 12 goals (Concacaf Qualifiers and Gold Cup). The 21-year-old was the top scorer in the 2019/20 Concacaf Nations League and will be key to Suriname’s attack.
Guadeloupe is also coming off a difficult 2-1 loss, dropping a heartbreaker to Jamaica. The group is looking for things to build on and can take pride in the performances of Raphael Mirval.
Mirval scored the only goal against Costa Rica and has scored nine goals in his last 10 matches (including the 2019-20 Concacaf Nations League and this Gold Cup).
