2am: Croatia v Brazil
6am: Netherlands v Argentina
From the Netherlands to Suriname, pride is swelling at the number of Dutch players in their World Cup quarter-final who trace their roots to the South American former colony.
On a pitch beneath the Amsterdam tower blocks where they grew up, two young friends of Surinamese origin practise free kicks and dream of wearing the Netherlands’ famed orange jersey.
“We’re people of colour ourselves. It’s good that people of colour have been so successful. We’re proud,” says Nigel Marengo, 18, a junior player for Heerenveen, a club whose first team is in the Eredivisie.
They idolise Dutch players like Virgil van Dijk, born in the Dutch city of Breda to a Dutch father and Surinamese mother; Denzel Dumfries, whose mother is from Suriname and whose father is from Aruba, the Caribbean island that is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; and Xavi Simons, whose father is of Surinamese descent.
Marengo and his friends will cheer on the ‘Oranje’ against Argentina on Friday, in a match that he says will be tough but winnable, largely thanks to Van Dijk in defence.
“I’m happy that he chose to play for the Netherlands” instead of Suriname, the tiny Caribbean coast nation ranked 139 by FIFA, adds Marengo.
His friend Divayo Olf, 18, says that while it “drags down Suriname in terms of football … they were all born here or grew up here and they all started their careers here, so I understand their choice”.
The Netherlands boasts a long line of footballing legends with Surinamese heritage, from Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard in the 1980s to Clarence Seedorf and Edgar Davids in the 1990s.
But that also reflects the tangled history of the Netherlands as rulers of a string of colonies — including Suriname which became independent in 1975 — that the Dutch are wrestling with to this day.
In the Surinamese capital Paramaribo, two huge TV screens hang on the wall of the Sportcafe Munder, a Suriname flag hangs in the middle, and the room is decorated with Dutch banners.
“I have been a fan of the Netherlands since 1978, because I grew up there … And boys with a Surinamese background playing, that also plays a role,” says owner Ramesh Jagesar.
For Friday’s match they will serve Dutch meatball snacks called “bitterballen” with Netherlands flags on cocktail sticks.
But he adds that “you do have groups that are really against the Netherlands, they would rather go for Brazil or Argentina”.
Retired doctor Ruben del Prado said he was supporting the Dutch team.
“I love the Netherlands but my heart is in Suriname … there is a natural historical connection between them,” he said.
BRAZIL, ARGENTINA TARGET BLOCKBUSTER SEMI-FINAL
Brazil seek to become the first team through to the World Cup semi-finals on Friday, while Argentina could set up a blockbuster all-South American clash if they get past the Netherlands.
After three weeks of pulsating action in Qatar, just eight teams are left standing as the 32-nation tournament heads into the final rounds of the knockout competition after a two-day break.
Five-time champions Brazil kick off the quarter-finals against surprise 2018 runners-up Croatia, with Neymar fit and firing after an ankle injury he suffered in the opening game.
“I’ll be doing everything that I can to win with the Brazilian national team. That’s our mission and our dream,” said Neymar.
“We’re getting ever closer, we’ve got another step to go now.” Croatia are a much-changed team from the one that reached the final four years ago, but 37-year-old Luka Modric remains the player who makes them tick.
“I agree that we did a great thing by getting to the quarter-finals but regardless of that we would like to do more,” said Modric, who will come up against his Real Madrid teammates Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Eder Militao in the match at Education City Stadium.
“We know that the greatest match is ahead of us. Brazil are always favourites. We have to be ourselves.” Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi is hoping to end his wait for a World Cup after Argentina lost to Germany in the final eight years ago.
Originally published as World Cup 2022 quarter-finals: Latest news, results, schedule
