It’s been a season of frustration for Leeds United’s Joel Piroe but he could make international history this week.
Leeds United striker Joël Piroe dreams of sending Suriname to the World Cup but a warning from his international boss will be fresh in the memory.
The 26-year-old is set to make his international debut tonight in a World Cup play-off semi-final against Bolivia, with victory setting up a final against Iraq next week. Two wins will send the Leeds striker and his Suriname teammates to the USA, Canada and Mexico this summer.
“It means a lot, I cannot wait for it,” Piroe said of his imminent debut. “My family and friends will all be watching, I know how proud they will be as well. I just cannot wait for it!
“If we can achieve what we want to achieve, then we will all be able to fulfil a dream of playing in the World Cup. There is work to do but we will give it everything to try and make it. It is going to be really nice to get the shirt on, get out there and represent the country.”
But Piroe does not head into these crucial World Cup play-offs in red-hot form. The Leeds striker ended an 11-month goal drought with a slick finish against Norwich City in the FA Cup earlier this month but hasn’t yet opened his Premier League account.
The former Swansea City man has barely kicked a Premier League ball in anger, with two starts coming in August and 11 substitute appearances since totalling 92 minutes - an average of just over eight minutes per game. It’s unlikely that average will increase significantly between now and May.
Suriname boss on Joel Piroe’s Leeds United struggles
Despite that lack of regular football, as a Premier League footballer Piroe is still the superstar of his Suriname squad. International boss Hank ten Cate was asked for his thoughts on the striker’s Leeds squad status and had little sympathy, instead urging his new call-up to take any chance that comes.
“He does not play regularly for Leeds but is at a club at the very highest level,” Ten Cate said. “The English league is by far the strongest in the world. It can happen that you end up on the bench.
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“I have told Joël that he has to work really hard. When the chance comes, you have to seize it. He did that against Norwich. He played a very good game and scored an important goal.”
Piroe is one of 12 Leeds first-team players away on international duty and among six vying for a World Cup place. Karl Darlow, Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu and Daniel James are all set to be in action against Bosnia & Herzegovina this evening before a potential play-off decider against Italy or Northern Ireland.
Gabriel Gudmundsson’s Sweden face Ukraine tonight, with victory setting up a final against Poland or Albania. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Anton Stach and Ao Tanaka are among those in World Cup warm-up friendly action.
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