Caribbean Cup SF on The Rise: Franklin Singodikromo – Concacaf

MIAMI, Florida There have been many big goals during the 2023 Concacaf Caribbean Cup, but one would be hard-pressed to find a more crucial one than the goal scored by Franklin Singodikromo of Surinamese club Robinhood in the semifinal second leg versus Moca FC of the Dominican Republic.

Down 1-0 on aggregate in second half stoppage time, the 21-year-old FW summoned up his very best to score the equalizing goal to force a penalty shootout. Robinhood would win in spot kicks to advance to the Final, where they will face Jamaican side Cavalier.

By virtue of his dramatic goal and overall performance in the series, Singodikromo is the On the Rise player for the 2023 Concacaf Caribbean Cup Semifinals.

It brings a smile to my face. It is an honor to hear such a thing, said Singodikromo upon learning that he was named the On the Rise player for the Caribbean Cup semifinals during an interview with Concacaf.com.

We needed a goal to make sure that we did not go home, and when I scored the goal, it felt unbelievable. I dont know how to explain it. Everyone wanted us to succeed, and when I scored the goal, it was indescribable. Its beyond happiness, said Singodikromo, who jokingly added that he has watched the goal a couple hundred times.

For Singodikromo, the key was keeping a cool head to allow him to score the most important goal of his career.

When I received the ball, I looked up and saw two of my teammates, but then the defender came onto me, so I had to think really fast. I dribbled past the first player, but then the second player came and he tried to take the ball away from me, but I recovered and I went for it, said Singodikromo.

Once Singodikromo scored and Robinhood defeated Moca in the penalty shootout, it secured Robinhoods place in the Final and also qualified the club for the Concacaf Champions Cup for the first time since 1994.

It means a lot [to qualify]. The entire country of Suriname is counting on Robinhood. Everybody is watching Robinhood and they are expecting a lot from us, so we dont want to disappoint them, said Singodikromo.

Five-time Champions Cup finalists Robinhood are now in line to face the top clubs in the region and could get a crack at 2022 FIFA World Cup winner Lionel Messi and Inter Miami. Singodikromo can only imagine what it would be like to face Messi on home soil.

Playing against Messi would be a dream come true if it is possible. It would be the first time to see Messi in person for most Surinamese people, so it would be an honor. Wed all be very happy, said Singodikromo.

In the Final, Robinhood will take on a Cavalier team that rolled through both the group stage and the semifinals to earn their spot in the Final. Singodikromo knows that a very sturdy test awaits against the Jamaicans.

Cavalier is a well-disciplined team. They have very strong and fast players. They have a very good understanding between the players and they will also be going for the win and the championship. We have to make sure that we keep our heads up and try to make minimal mistakes, said Singodikromo.

Robinhood can already point to a Concacaf title won earlier this year when they claimed the 2023 Concacaf Caribbean Club Shield. Singodikromo remarks that winning the Shield propelled Robinhood to double-down on their efforts in the Caribbean Cup.

When we won the Shield, it was a motivation to keep going. We trained even harder, we made sacrifices, it was all motivation, said Singodikromo.

All of that has paid off with a trip to the Final and a Champions Cup qualification. But Singodikromo and his teammates have their sights set on an even bigger prize of winning the Caribbean Cup.

For me it would be one of the greatest achievements for now. We have to keep pushing and make sure we win the final. Everyone is looking up to Robinhood. They are expecting so much from us, so we cant disappoint them. It would mean the world to the club and for Suriname to win the cup, concluded Singodikromo.

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Caribbean Cup SF on The Rise: Franklin Singodikromo - Concacaf