Dimitrie Apai

Dimitrie Apai (born 19 July 1994) is a Surinamese footballer who last played for W Connection, and the Suriname national football team.

Dimitrie Apai
Personal information
Full name Dimitrie Apai[1]
Date of birth (1994-07-19) 19 July 1994[2]
Place of birth Paramaribo, Suriname[3]
Height 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)[3]
Position(s) Forward
Club information
Current team
 W Connection
Number 17
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2014 S.V. Transvaal
2014– W Connection 50 (31)
National team‡
2013– Suriname 20 (4)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 23:45, 15 November 2019 (UTC)

Club career

Transvaal

Apai began his career with S.V. Transvaal of Suriname's semi-professional Hoofdklasse. In late 2013, Apai was invited for a trial with W Connection F.C. of Trinidad and Tobago's TT Pro League after an impressive showing during 2013 CONCACAF U-20 Championship qualifying in which Apai scored three goals in three matches during the group stage including two against Trinidad and Tobago.[4] Following a trial which saw him score four goals in two matches, it was announced on 30 January 2014 that W Connection purchased the player from Transvaal.[5][6] By signing a contract with W Connection, Apai became only the second fully professional player representing Suriname at that time, along with Stefano Rijssel who also played for the Trinidadian club for 2 years.[7]

W Connection

Apai made his professional debut on 24 January 2014 against North East Stars F.C.[8] He scored his first goal for the club coming on as a substitute and scoring the stoppage time equalizer against Central FC on 11 February 2014.[9] Apai has played in 3 CCL matches of the 2016 season against Deportivo Saprissa and two against Santos Laguna. On 19 January 2016 Apai scored the 4th and 5th goal for Connection in a 7-1 win. His first international goal for W Connection was in the 2016 CFU Club Championship where he scored in the 67th minute against CS Moulien. On 11 March 2016 he scored the only goal in a 1-0 win against Point Fortin Civic F.C..He scored 2 more goals for Connection in a 3-0 win vs St. Ann's Rangers on 17 May 2016 in the seasons last match. On July Apai said in a local Surinamese interview that he will not return to Suriname at his young age, stating he wants to become a professional player whether it is in Europe or elsewhere. He was a starter in the first match against UNAM in the 2017 CCL and assisted Jamal Charles into scoring the second goal of the match for Connection.He was a starter once again in the first match against C.D. Honduras Progreso and also giving an assist. On 25 October he scored his first goal of the new season against Point Fortin Civic that ended 7-0 for WCO. On 14 January 2017 Apai scored 2 goals and gave 1 assist in the match against Defence Force, three days later, he scored the only goal in a 1-0 win against St. Ann's Rangers for W Connection. Apai was named player of the month December for the season of 2016-2017, In which he scored four goals in four matches.[10]

Europe

After leaving W Connection in summer 2019, Apai went on trial with K Beerschot VA of the Belgian First Division B.[11] While in Europe he took part in a training camp with the national team in preparation for upcoming 2019–20 CONCACAF Nations League B matches. He appeared in a match against SC Telstar[12] and, after scoring Suriname's game-winning goal in its final friendly against RKSV Leonidas, he was invited to trial with Mosta F.C. of the Maltese Premier League.[13]

International career

Apai has represented Suriname at the U17, U20, and U23 levels.[14] Apai made his senior international debut in the 2013 ABCS Tournament against Bonaire. He scored his first international goal in the match, the second goal of a 2–0 victory.[15]

International goals
Scores and results list Surinames's goal tally first.[15]
#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.14 November 2013Ergilio Hato Stadium, Willemstad, Curaçao Bonaire
2–0
2–0
2013 ABCS Tournament
2.6 January 2017Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, Trinidad and Tobago Haiti
1–4
2–4
2017 Caribbean Cup qualification
3.15 November 2019André Kamperveen Stadion, Paramaribo, Suriname Dominica
1–0
4–0
2019–20 CONCACAF Nations League B
4.
4–0
Last updated 15 November 2019

References
  1. "Suriname - D. Apai - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". us.soccerway.com. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  2. "Suriname - D. Apai - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". us.soccerway.com. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  3. "Apai, Dimitri". nationalfootballteams. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  4. "Apai naar Trinidad, Rijssel mogelijk naar Amerika". Natio Suriname. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  5. "Apai naar Trinidad, Rijssel op proef in Amerika". Natio Suriname. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  6. "W Connection adds six new players". TT Guardian. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  7. "Dimitrie Apai werkt succesvolle stage af". Natio Suriname. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  8. Balsemhof, Marinio. "Dimitrie Apai kent succesvol profdebuut" (in Dutch). dwtonline.com. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  9. "Apai rescues Connection in Central derby". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  10. "Toussaint, Jorsling and Apai are Wendy's top performers". TT Pro League. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  11. "Comvalius tekent profcontract bij AS Trenčín" (in Dutch). SME Sport. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  12. "Telstar en Suriname Spelen Gelijk in Feestduel" (in Dutch). SC Telstar. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  13. Samwel, Diederik. "Buitenlandse interesse voor Surinaamse internationals" (in Dutch). Star Nieuws. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  14. "Soccerway Profile". Soccerway. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  15. "CFD Profile". Caribbean Football Database. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
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