Sint Maarten national football team

Sint Maarten
Association	Sint Maarten Football Federation
Confederation	CONCACAF (North America)
Sub-confederation	CFU (Caribbean)
Head coach	Piet de Jong
Captain	Kay Gerritsen
Most caps	Gerwin Lake (19)
Top scorer	Gerwin Lake (17)
Home stadium	Raoul Illidge Sports Complex
FIFA code	SXM; SMA (CONCACAF Code)
First colours	Second colours
First international
	Sint Maarten 1–3 Saint Martin ; (Philipsburg, Sint Maarten; 14 June 1988)
Biggest win
	Sint Maarten 8–2 Turks and Caicos Islands ; (Willemstad, Curaçao; 11 June 2022)
Biggest defeat
	Haiti 13–0 Sint Maarten ; (Port-au-Prince, Haiti; 10 September 2018)

The Sint Maarten national football team is the football team of Sint Maarten, the Dutch half of the Caribbean island of Saint Martin, and is controlled by the Sint Maarten Football Federation. Sint Maarten is not a member of FIFA, and therefore not eligible to enter the World Cup. However, the association applied for FIFA membership in 2016 but was rejected.^[5] In April 2022, the Sint Maarten Soccer Association appealed to the CAS against FIFA’s ruling.^[6]

In 2002, the Sint Maarten Soccer Association was given associate membership in CONCACAF and became full members at the XXVIII Ordinary Congress in April 2013^[7]^[8] after becoming an independent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands after the Netherlands Antilles was dissolved in 2010.^[9] They are also members of the Caribbean Football Union^[10] and first took part in the Caribbean Cup in its inaugural edition in 1989.^[11]

History

From 1992 to 2016, the team had played approximately only 25 official matches.^[12] Between 2000 and 2016, only one match had been played, an unofficial 2–2 draw at home to Sint Eustatius on 20 August 2004.^[13] In 2012, SMSA President Owen Nickie stated that the national team's inactivity was due to a lack of needed improvements on their home stadium. He indicated that not having enough players to choose from had also prevented the team from competing in the past but that they had more than enough players at that time. At that time, the association discussed hosting the Leeward Islands Tournament and participating in 2012 Caribbean Cup qualification as two of its objectives for the year. Nickie described not entering a team in the Caribbean Cup in the past as "unfortunate".^[14] In August 2014, Sint Maarten was set to co-host the Leeward Islands Tournament which had been dormant at that time for over ten years.^[15] However, the tournament was postponed after Sint Maarten withdrew as host because of difficulties with the newly installed lights at the Raoul Illidge Sports Complex and Anguilla, the other host, withdrew for unspecified reasons. One report also indicated that the hosts withdrew because of an "inability to facilitate teams."^[16] In May 2015, a match was organized by the SMSA as a showcase for selecting a national team player pool. It was open to all players with a Dutch passport.^[17] Although Sint Maarten's senior team was dormant, a youth selection participated in the inaugural CONCACAF Under-15 Championship in August 2013^[18] and Sint Maarten co-hosted the 2015 CFU Boy's Under-15 Championship^[19] after the 2015 CONCACAF Under-15 Championship was canceled by CONCACAF for unspecified reasons.^[20]

2017 Caribbean Cup

Sint Maarten returned to international football in 2016, entering 2017 Caribbean Cup qualification and being drawn into Group 2 along with Grenada and the US Virgin Islands with the first round matches taking place on 22 and 26 March 2016.^[21] Sint Maarten had been absent from senior CFU competition for nineteen years as they entered the tournament.^[22]^[23] In January 2016 it was announced that Sint Maarten's squad for 2017 Caribbean Cup qualification would be composed solely of players from Flames United SC,^[24] reigning champions from the 2014/2015 Senior league competitions and the champions of the 2012/2013 Excellence Division between the islands of Sint Maarten, Saint Martin and St. Barths.^[25] However, shortly thereafter it was reported that the previous report was inaccurate and that Flames United would actually be competing in the CFU Club Championship.^[24] Sint Maarten played its first senior men's international in 12 years on 13 March 2016 as it hosted a 2–0 home victory against Anguilla as part of each side's preparation for 2017 Caribbean Cup qualification. Both of Sint Maarten's goals were scored by Joost Röben.^[26] In the first match of the tournament, Sint Maarten held Grenada to a scoreless draw in the first half which saw two of Sint Maarten's starters sustain injuries.^[27] It was later revealed that Raymond Wolff had sustained a broken rib before coming off in the first half while fellow-Dutchman Rick De Punder was credited with an own goal.^[28] Grenada scored five goals in the second half to secure the 5–0 victory. Sint Maarten arrived on Grenada for the 8pm match at 4pm after the funds for the team airfare, paid for by the CFU, did not reach the airline in time and no seats were available. SMSA President Johnny Singh thought that the team would not be able to compete but another flight was arranged in time. The same scenario occurred for the return flight but the team was expected to be home on the Thursday prior to the team's match against USVI on Saturday.^[27] Sint Maarten went on to lose the match to USVI 1–2, ending the team's qualifying campaign. Sint Maarten's only goal was scored by Ramsleii Boelijn.^[29]

Stadium

Sint Maarten plays its home matches at the Raoul Illidge Sports Complex in Philipsburg. The stadium has a capacity of 3,000 spectators. It is named after Raoul Illidge, a local philanthropist who laid the groundwork and covered many expenses in the planning of the stadium as part of his support for sport and culture on the island. Unsolicited, he contributed nearly ƒ800,000 for the project.^[30] After falling into disrepair, the complex was temporarily closed for renovation in July 2013. The two-part renovation included installation of a new running track, drainage system, and artificial turf, repainting of lighting poles and installation of new, brighter lights, in addition to a renovation of the complex's buildings.^[31] The renovation costs were financed by the Dutch funding agency Usona and the Sint Maarten government. The international sports park was official reopened with a ribbon cutting ceremony by Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams and Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Affairs Patricia Lourens-Phillip on 7 March 2014.^[32]^[33]

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Win Draw Loss Fixture

2023

7 September 2023–24 Nations League	Sint Maarten	1–5	Saint Lucia	Willemstad, Curaçao
18:00 UTC−4	Amatkarijo 51'	Report	Poleon 45', 48', 89' Hackett-Fairchild 57' Stanislas 75'	Stadium: Stadion Rignaal 'Jean' Francisca Referee: Ricangel de Leça (Aruba)

10 September 2023–24 Nations League	Guadeloupe	4–0	Sint Maarten	Sainte-Anne, Guadeloupe
15:30 UTC−4	Phaëton 23' (pen.) Plumain 25' (pen.), 58' Archimède 40'	Report		Stadium: Stade Municipal de Sainte-Anne Referee: Pierre-Luc Lauzière (Canada)

12 October 2023–24 Nations League	Sint Maarten	2–3	Saint Kitts and Nevis	The Valley, Anguilla
15:00 UTC−4	Lake 19' Kort 79'	Report	Williams 16', 48', 68'	Stadium: Raymond E. Guishard Technical Centre Attendance: 122 Referee: Josué Ugalde (Costa Rica)

15 October 2023–24 Nations League	Saint Kitts and Nevis	0–1	Sint Maarten	Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
19:00 UTC−4		Report	Pata 32'	Stadium: SKNFA Technical Center Referee: Yadel Martínez (Cuba)

16 November 2023–24 Nations League	Sint Maarten	0–2	Guadeloupe	Wildey, Barbados
19:00 UTC−4		Report	Plumain 65' Phaëton 90+5'	Stadium: Wildey Turf Referee: Reon Radix (Grenada)

19 November 2023–24 Nations League	Saint Lucia	1–2	Sint Maarten	Gros Islet, Saint Lucia
15:00 UTC−4	Thomas 12'	Report	Amatkarijo 38' Lake 56'	Stadium: Daren Sammy Cricket Ground Referee: Marco Ortiz (Mexico)

2024

17 March Friendly

Sint Maarten

1–1

Anguilla

4 June Friendly	Bonaire	1–3	Sint Maarten	Doorwerth, Netherlands
20:00				Stadium: Sportpark De Waayenberg

8 November International Friendly Match	Israel	v	Sint Maarten	Doorwerth, Netherlands
				Stadium: Sportpark De Waayenberg

Coaching history

Ronny Wadilie (2016–18)
Elvis Albertus (2018–)
Piet de Jong

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League matches against Aruba and Haiti on 6 and 9 September 2024.^[34]

Caps and goals as of 4 June 2024 after the game against the Bonaire.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1GK	Tyrell Richardson	(2003-07-08) 8 July 2003 (age 21)	7	0	Alphense Boys
1GK	Cartalino Joseph	(2002-04-22) 22 April 2002 (age 22)	0	0	Charlois
1GK	Chandro Wilkin		0	0	SCSA Eagles

2DF	Diaro Forsythe	(2001-01-11) 11 January 2001 (age 23)	18	0	't Zand
2DF	Kael Richards	(2000-02-13) 13 February 2000 (age 24)	14	0	Keiser University
2DF	Duane Tjen-A-Kwoei	(1998-08-11) 11 August 1998 (age 26)	12	0	Spijkenisse
2DF	Mitchell De Nooijer	(2000-02-29) 29 February 2000 (age 24)	9	0	Goes
2DF	Ronan Olivacce	(2004-03-27) 27 March 2004 (age 20)	9	0	Excelsior
2DF	Ilounga Pata	(2000-11-12) 12 November 2000 (age 23)	9	1	Sheriff Tiraspol
2DF	Mike Richardson		1	0	Alphense Boys

3MF	Kay Gerritsen	(1997-04-25) 25 April 1997 (age 27)	18	2	DSOV
3MF	Ties Kerssies	(2003-12-26) 26 December 2003 (age 20)	13	1	Roda '46
3MF	Oliver Hobgood	(2004-07-01) 1 July 2004 (age 20)	10	0	Aarhus Fremad
3MF	Quintón Christina	(1995-05-03) 3 May 1995 (age 29)	7	0	Noordwijk
3MF	Imar Kort	(1998-06-13) 13 June 1998 (age 26)	7	1	HSV De Zuidvogels
3MF	Amadeus Aventurin	(2005-06-01) 1 June 2005 (age 19)	0	0	SCSA Eagles

4FW	Gerwin Lake	(1996-04-09) 9 April 1996 (age 28)	19	17	Poortugaal
4FW	Sergio Hughes	(2002-02-24) 24 February 2002 (age 22)	14	2	Kozakken Boys
4FW	Elmer de Vries	(2000-11-19) 19 November 2000 (age 23)	13	2	Unitas
4FW	Chovanie Amatkarijo	(1999-05-20) 20 May 1999 (age 25)	11	5	Östersunds FK
4FW	T-Shawn Illidge	(2003-08-22) 22 August 2003 (age 21)	7	1	Gemert
4FW	Len Bleeker	(2005-08-28) 28 August 2005 (age 18)	2	0	Excelsior

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the Sint Maarten squad within the last twelve months.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up


MF	Jean-Jacques Craane	(2003-07-17) 17 July 2003 (age 21)	11	1	Soualiga	v. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; 15 October 2023

FW	Shurandy Reyes	(2001-10-07) 7 October 2001 (age 22)	2	0		v. Bonaire; 4 June 2024
Notes ^INJ = Withdrew due to injury ^PRE = Preliminary squad / standby ^RET = Retired from the national team ^WD = Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue.

Records

As of 4 June 2024^[35]

Players in bold are still active with Sint Maarten.

Most appearances

Rank	Player	Caps	Goals	Career
1	Gerwin Lake	19	17	2019–present
2	Diaro Forsythe	18	0	2018–present
2	Kay Gerritsen	18	2	2019–present
4	Kael Richards	14	0	2019–present
4	Sergio Hughes	14	2	2022–present
6	Ties Kerssies	13	1	2022–present
6	Elmer de Vries	13	2	2022–present
8	Duane Tjen-A-Kwoei	12	0	2022–present
9	Jean-Jacques Craane	11	1	2018–present
9	Chovanie Amatkarijo	11	5	2023–present

Top goalscorers

Rank	Name	Goals	Caps	Ratio	Career
1	Gerwin Lake	17	19	0.89	2019–present
2	Chovanie Amatkarijo	5	11	0.45	2023–present
3	Remsley Boelijn	3	10	0.3	2016–2019
4	Joost Röben	2	3	0.67	2016
	Jaeremi Drijvers	2	4	0.5	2018–2019
	Elmer de Vries	2	13	0.15	2022–present
	Sergio Hughes	2	14	0.14	2022–present
	Kay Gerritsen	2	18	0.11	2019–present

Competitive record

CONCACAF Gold Cup

CONCACAF Gold Cup record
Year	Round	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
1991	Did not enter
1993	Did not qualify
1996
1998
2000	Withdrew
2002	Did not enter
2003	Did not enter
2005	Withdrew
2007	Did not enter
2009
2011
2013
2015
2017	Did not qualify
2019
2021
2023
Total	0/17

CONCACAF Nations League

CONCACAF Nations League record
League										Finals
Season	Division	Group	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	P/R	Finals	Result	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Squad
2019–20	C	D	4	0	0	4	6	15		2021	Ineligible
2022–23	C	A	6	3	2	1	19	9		2023
2023–24	B	A	6	2	0	4	6	15		2024
2024–25	B	C	To be determined							2025
Total	—	—	16	5	2	9	31	39	—	Total	0 Titles	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Caribbean Cup

Year	Round	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
Caribbean Cup record								Qualification record
1989	Did not qualify							4	0	0	4	1	33
1990	Did not qualify							2	0	2	0	3	3
1991	Did not enter							Did not enter
1992	Did not qualify							2	1	1	0	5	3
1993	Group stage	3	0	1	2	6	13	2	2	0	0	2	0
1994	Did not qualify							3	1	0	2	5	9
1995								2	0	0	2	0	7
1996								2	1	0	1	4	3
1997								3	2	0	1	6	3
1998	Did not enter							Did not enter
1999
2001
2005
2007
2008
2010
2012
2014
2017	Did not qualify							2	0	0	2	1	7
Total	Group stage	3	0	1	2	6	13	22	5	3	14	25	68

*Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

Head-to-head record

As of 24 March 2019^[36]

Opponent	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
Anguilla	6	4	2	0	12	2	+10
Antigua and Barbuda	3	1	0	2	2	7	−5
Bermuda	1	0	0	1	0	12	−12
British Virgin Islands	6	2	1	3	10	9	+1
Cayman Islands	3	1	1	1	5	8	−3
Dominica	3	0	0	3	1	6	−5
Grenada	1	0	0	1	0	5	−5
Guadeloupe	2	0	0	2	2	7	−5
Haiti	1	0	0	1	0	13	−13
Jamaica	2	0	0	2	2	5	−3
Martinique	2	0	1	1	1	11	−10
Netherlands Antilles	1	0	0	1	1	2	−1
Puerto Rico	1	0	0	1	0	3	−3
Saint Barthélemy	2	0	1	1	4	6	−2
Saint Kitts and Nevis	4	1	1	2	3	7	−4
Saint Martin	2	1	0	1	5	6	−1
Turks and Caicos Islands	2	0	0	2	4	8	−4
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	1	0	0	1	1	6	−5
U.S. Virgin Islands	1	0	0	1	1	2	−1
Total	43	10	7	26	53	122	−69