WILLEMSTAD - Dick Advocaat, the new head coach of the Curaçao national football team, expressed his concerns about the challenges of recruiting new players for the national team in an interview with the program Veronica Offside in the Netherlands.
"It is difficult to convince players to play for Curaçao," said Advocaat. Despite efforts to approach well-known footballers such as Riechedly Bazoer, Joshua Brenet, Tahith Chong, Sontje Hansen, Justin Kluivert, Armando Obispo, Shurandy Sambo, and Tommy St. Jago (Willem II), success remains elusive.
Advocaat, who did not want to delve too deeply into individual cases, admitted that for players who have played in all youth selections of the Netherlands by the age of 21, it is understandable that they prefer to wait for an opportunity with the Dutch national team.
This seems to particularly apply to Sontje Hansen. Additionally, Justin Kluivert has made it clear that his ambition lies with the Dutch national team, while Tahith Chong is still uncertain, and Riechedly Bazoer has not yet responded.
Advocaat revealed that three players have already definitively declined, including Sambo, and that Chong's uncertainty is making the situation for the Curaçao national team even more challenging.
This news comes at a time when Curaçao is preparing for two friendly matches later this month, with anticipation building regarding the selection of players that Advocaat will assemble.