Wilbert Suvrijn

Wilbert Suvrijn (born 26 October 1962) is a Dutch former professional footballer. Mainly a central defender, he could also operate as a defensive midfielder.

Wilbert Suvrijn
Suvrijn (far right) in 1986
Personal information
Date of birth (1962-10-26) 26 October 1962
Place of birth Sittard, Netherlands
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Centre back
Youth career
Almania
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1981–1986 Fortuna Sittard 156 (10)
1986–1989 Roda 82 (3)
1989–1993 Montpellier 103 (1)
Total 341 (14)
National team
1986–1988 Netherlands 9 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

Suvrijn was born in Sittard, Limburg. In his country, he represented hometown's Fortuna Sittard (winning promotion to the Eredivisie in his debut season, as champions) and Roda JC, playing in a total of 209 games in the top division over the course of seven seasons. With the latter club, he scored twice in 31 matches in 1986–87, helping it finish fourth and qualify for the UEFA Cup.[1]

In 1989, Suvrijn signed with French side Montpellier HSC, helping them win the domestic cup in his first year – he missed the final due to injury – and contributing decisively to the team's sixth place in Ligue 1 in 1991–92, playing almost exclusively in midfield. After only nine matches in the following campaign, mainly due to back problems, the 30-year-old decided to retire, staying closely related to France, and became a players agent.[1]

International career

Suvrijn made his debut for the Netherlands on 29 April 1986, coming on as a substitute for Michel Valke in a friendly with Scotland (0–0) as Rinus Michels was the manager. He went on to earn nine full caps in two years, being called to the squad for UEFA Euro 1988 in West Germany.

Suvrijn appeared in two games for the eventual champions in the finals, totalling four minutes: in the group stage 3–1 win over England he replaced Marco van Basten, scorer of all of the team's goals in the match.[2] In the semi-finals against the hosts (2–1), he played the last minute in the place of injured Erwin Koeman.[3]

References
  1. "Wilbert Suvrijn (1962)" (in Dutch). Kent u deze nog?. 27 May 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  2. "Van Basten hat-trick eliminates England". UEFA. 5 October 2003. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  3. "Pure poetry as Dutch gain revenge". UEFA. 5 October 2003. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
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