WILLEMSTAD - As Curaçao’s national football team gears up for two crucial Nations League matches against Grenada, head coach Dick Advocaat shared his perspective in a recent press conference. While emphasizing the positive atmosphere within the team, Advocaat cautioned against the danger of underestimating their opponents—a warning directed both at his players and the team itself.
Curaçao has had a mixed start in the Nations League, with a loss to Saint Lucia (2-1) followed by a convincing win against Saint Martin (4-0). Now, the team faces two decisive matches against Grenada that will determine their standing in Group B of League B.
Team Dynamics
Advocaat highlighted the strong camaraderie and team spirit within the Curaçao squad as a key strength. “The joy and enthusiasm within the group are remarkable,” he said. Despite challenges, such as limited training sessions, the overall mood remains upbeat. “It’s a team that just gives their best, and so far, that has yielded results,” he added.
However, the coach expressed concerns about certain players who could enhance the squad but are unavailable or have declined to participate. According to Advocaat, this has limited the team's ability to reach its full potential.
Underestimation
When asked about the team’s performance in the opening match against Saint Lucia, Advocaat admitted that underestimating the opponent was a topic of discussion among the coaching staff. “We asked ourselves if we underestimated them. But if you watch the game again, we could have won 5-2,” he said. Advocaat stressed that despite the team’s abilities, they must take every opponent seriously.
Another recurring issue is the squad selection. Advocaat often relies on a core group of players because potential reinforcements are frequently unavailable. “It remains a problem when some players, who might be better, don’t want to come,” he said. Nonetheless, he praised the players who are present, noting that they have proven themselves. “We’ve played six matches and lost only one,” he pointed out, indicating that the current group is stable and competitive.
Advocaat also emphasized the importance of tactical consistency for the team. Familiarity in key moments—knowing what to do in possession and during turnovers—is improving. However, he noted that physical strength will be critical in the upcoming matches, especially against physically strong opponents like Grenada. This will be a focus as they prepare for the matches on Friday and Monday, October 14.
Crucial Matches Ahead
While Advocaat is pleased with the team’s progress, he acknowledged the importance of the upcoming matches against Grenada. “We need to make up for it in the next two games,” he said, referring to the earlier loss to Saint Lucia. The outcome of these games will determine Curaçao’s chances of advancing to the next round of the Nations League and potentially qualifying for the Gold Cup.
Advocaat remains realistic: “You want to win every game, but that’s not always possible.” However, his optimism shines through: “We always aim for victory.” With a mix of experienced players like Leandro Bacuna and promising young talent, Curaçao is ready for the challenge ahead. But as Advocaat knows, there is no room for complacency.