In a dramatic, capacity-cup final at Suriname’s Franklin Essed Stadion Sunday night, football club Broki pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Suriname Major League (SML) history, defeating previously undefeated defending champion SV Robinhood on penalties to claim the first league title in the club’s 100-plus year history. Entering the match as clear underdogs, Broki set an aggressive tone from the opening whistle, putting constant pressure on Robinhood’s backline and turning the much-hyped title decider into a tense, back-and-forth battle from start to finish.
Broki drew first blood in the 16th minute, when forward Shaquille Stein beat Robinhood keeper Jonathan Fonkel with a crafty chip shot to put the underdogs up 1-0. Robinhood had multiple chances to level the score before halftime, with attacker Ravello Zijler coming close on several attempts, but Broki goalkeeper Nevon Esperansie delivered a string of stunning saves to keep his side ahead heading into the break. Broki nearly doubled their lead through another Stein chance minutes before halftime, but could not convert, leaving the score 1-0 at intermission.
Robinhood ramped up pressure in the second half, dominating possession and pinning Broki deep in their own half for most of the period, but the underdog side held firm on defense for nearly the entire 90 minutes. It was not until deep into second-half stoppage time that Zijler finally broke through, heading home a cross to level the score at 1-1 and force extra time, keeping Robinhood’s title defense hopes alive.
However, Zijler’s celebration would quickly turn to heartbreak. Caught up in the excitement of his late equalizer, he pulled off his shirt, earning a second yellow card for the match that resulted in an automatic red card. Robinhood was forced to play the entirety of extra time down a man, a turning point that would shape the final outcome.
Even a man down, Robinhood stunned the Broki side just three minutes into the first 15-minute extra period, when substitute youth player Darrel Sijpenhof found the back of the net to put the defending champions up 2-1. But Broki refused to fold, pressing hard for an equalizer as fatigue and tensions rose across the pitch. The underdogs got their leveler when substitute Jovan Haabo connected on a cross from Franklin Singodikromo, heading home to draw the match back to 2-2.
No more goals were scored in the second period of extra time, forcing a decisive penalty shootout to decide the 2026 SML title. After both sides missed one penalty in the opening five-kick round, the shootout moved to sudden death. Robinhood’s chance at back-to-back titles ended when young forward Serfinjo Pinas sent his sudden death attempt high over the crossbar, opening the door for Broki to claim the trophy. Brazilian midfielder Alan Da Costa coolly slotted home the match-winning penalty to secure the historic victory for Broki, sending the sold-out home crowd at Franklin Essed Stadion into celebration.