Dimitrie Apai
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Dimitrie Yekini Apai | ||
| Date of birth | 19 July 1994 | ||
| Place of birth | Suriname | ||
| Playing position | Forward | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | W Connection | ||
| Number | 12 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2012–2014 | S.V. Transvaal | ||
| 2014– | W Connection | 12 | (15) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2013– | Suriname | 5 | (1) |
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. | |||
Dimitrie Apai (born 19 July 1994) is a Surinamese footballer who currently plays for W Connection and the Suriname national football team.
Club career
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.[1] 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.[1][2] 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.[3] He is one of Surinames best soccer players and well known for his speed and skills with the ball.
Apai made his professional debut on 24 January 2014 against North East Stars F.C.[4] Apai 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.[5] 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 else.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.
International career
Apai has represented Suriname at the U17, U20, and U23 levels.[6] 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.[7]
International goals
- Scores and results list Surinames's goal tally first.[7]
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14 November 2013 | Stadion Ergilio Hato, Willemstad, Curaçao |  Bonaire | | 2013 ABCS Tournament | ||||||
| Last updated 13 February 2014 | |||||||||||
References
- 1 2 "Apai naar Trinidad, Rijssel mogelijk naar Amerika". Natio Suriname. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
- ↑ "W Connection adds six new players". TT Guardian. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
- ↑ "Dimitrie Apai werkt succesvolle stage af". Natio Suriname. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
- ↑ Balsemhof, Marinio. "Dimitrie Apai kent succesvol profdebuut" (in Dutch). dwtonline.com. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
- ↑ "Apai rescues Connection in Central derby". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
- ↑ "Soccerway Profile". Soccerway. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
- 1 2 "CFD Profile". Caribbean Football Database. Retrieved 13 February 2014.