Curaçao head coach Dick Advocaat has not given up hope of his team causing an upset at the World Cup despite suffering a 7-1 drubbing at the hands of Germany in their opening match.
Blue Wave fans had a moment to celebrate in Houston when Breda-born Livano Comenencia fired in an equaliser midway through the first half to cancel out an early German goal.
The team of almost entirely Dutch-born players won acclaim for their enterprising football in the opening half-hour and keeping the deficit to a single goal until Germany were awarded a penalty at the end of the first half.
But Advocaat conceded that the four-time world champions were “much too strong” as they ran in four goals in a one-sided second half.
“We gave away too many easy goals and you can see that not everybody is used to playing at this level,” Advocaat told NOS.
“We still have two matches to play and the lads have experienced what this level means. We knew it was going to be tough against Germany, who are seen as contenders for the championship. It’s just a shame that we conceded so many goals.”
Difference in strength
Captain Leandro Bacuna, who played for relegated Volendam last season, agreed that his team-mates had been handed a hard lesson by Germany.
“We saw and felt a huge difference in strength,” he said. “We believed in ourselves, but after the equaliser we gave it away again too easily.
“But we can score against Germany, so why not against Ecuador and Cote d’Ivoire?”
Curaçao’s next group match is against Ecuador in Kansas City next Saturday, followed by a clash with Cote d’Ivoire on Thursday, June 25. Ecuador won the meeting between the two teams 1-0.
Advocaat said: “We need to make it a good tournament and maybe cause a surprise in the second or third game. But even if that doesn’t work out, the people will be happy we were here.”
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