MIAMI, Florida – Mexico will be aiming to claim top spot in Group A of League A of the 2022-23 Concacaf Nations League when they travel to the Frank Essed Stadion in Paramaribo on Thursday to take on Suriname.
Mexico head into the encounter in second place in the three-team group, one point behind leaders Jamaica and three points ahead of Suriname.
A draw at least would be enough to seal a place in the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup, but El Tricolor will have three points on the mind knowing that their group stage finale is at home against the Reggae Boyz next Sunday.
Suriname remain in the hunt for an automatic berth to the Gold Cup, however it will require a win against Mexico by a sizable margin of victory, coupled with a Jamaica win in Mexico on the final matchday.
Their first meeting in the group stage back in June saw Mexico claim a 3-0 win in Torreon on goals from Israel Reyes, Henry Martin and Erick Sanchez.
Thursday’s meeting represents the third all-time match between the two nations, with the other coming in Concacaf World Cup Qualifying for Argentina 1978 in an 8-1 win for Mexico.
For goals, Suriname can turn to the top scorer from the 2019-20 CNL, Gleofilo Vlijter, who tallied 10 goals in that campaign, while players like Kelvin Leerdam of the Los Angeles Galaxy and QPR’s Kenneth Paal offer support in midfield.
Thursday’s game will also mark the debut of New Mexico Head Coach Diego Cocca, with goalscoring stalwarts like Hirving Lozano, Raul Jimenez and Martin in the squad. Jimenez has two career CNL goals, Martin scored in the first Suriname match and Lozano has two career assists in the CNL.
