A Leeds United attacker has made a new country international debut.
Leeds United attacker Joel Piroe has made his new country international debut, playing a key role for a nation in the search of a first ever World Cup place.
Piroe was born in the Netherlands whom the attacker played for at up to under-20s level but the striker switched international allegiance in January to Suriname, qualifying to play for the Caribbean nation through his father.
Looking to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in their history, Suriname progressed from the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers to the inter-confederation play-offs, facing a semi-final against Bolivia with the winners taking on Iraq for a place at the tournament itself.
The semi-final against Bolivia took place in the early hours of Friday morning in Guadaloupe and Piroe was given a start on his full international debut for a country whose squad also features former Leeds striker Jay-Roy Grot with Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink as coach.
Piroe played the full duration of the contest but his new country’s brave bid to get to their first ever World Cup was ultimately ended as late goals from Moises Paniagua and Miguel Terceros gave Bolivia a 2-1 success.
After a goalless first half, Suriname had gone ahead in the 48th minute through Liam van Gelderen who netted from a move created by Piroe’s clever ball down the left channel.
The Leeds striker had earlier set up another good chance in the first half.
Suriname led until the 71st minute but 18-year-old Paniagua’s low strike in a crowded box drew Bolivia level and a Terceros penalty just seven minutes later ultimately proved the winning goal.
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