Curacao Targets World Cup Upset of Germany on Debut as 78-Year-Old Advocaat Says Team Has Nothing to Lose
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Jun 14
Curacao Targets World Cup Upset of Germany on Debut as 78-Year-Old Advocaat Says Team Has Nothing to Lose
3 articles · Updated · Reuters · Jun 14
Summary
Curacao enter Sunday's first-ever World Cup match against Germany with a full squad and no pressure, coach Dick Advocaat said in Houston.
Advocaat expects Germany to dominate possession, but said Curacao plan to exploit the space left by their attacks and make the four-time champions uncomfortable.
The Caribbean side is the smallest nation by population and size ever to reach a World Cup and leans heavily on Netherlands-based diaspora players.
At 78, Advocaat will become the oldest coach in World Cup history, saying the squad's spirit is among the best he has experienced in a career that included the Netherlands and South Korea.
Curacao share a group with Germany, Ecuador and Ivory Coast, turning their debut into a chance to showcase the island beyond simply reaching the tournament.