WILLEMSTAD – National team head coach Fred Rutten has called for a tougher defensive approach from Curaçao following the team’s 5-1 defeat against Australia, stating that his players must learn to defend “with their lives.”
Speaking after the friendly match, Rutten pointed to a critical period early in the second half that decided the game. Curaçao trailed 1-0 at halftime but managed to equalize shortly after the break. However, the momentum quickly shifted.
“In 11 minutes, they scored four times. In those 11 minutes, the game was gone,” Rutten said. “Before that, it could still have gone either way.”
The coach made it clear that he was particularly dissatisfied with the team’s defensive performance. “We gave the match away too easily, and that’s not because of the attack, but because of the defense,” he said. “I think the defense needs to be more physical. When you defend, you have to defend with your life.”
Rutten explained that the match was used as an opportunity to analyze the team in detail and identify areas for improvement. According to him, the coaching staff now has a clearer understanding of where adjustments are needed moving forward.
Despite the heavy defeat, the coach stressed that there is no reason for panic. “There is a lot of potential in this squad. It just needs to become a stable unit, and fortunately we have time to work on that. Everything is still possible,” he said.
The loss concludes a difficult run in the FIFA Series, but Rutten remains focused on building a stronger and more cohesive team ahead of upcoming international challenges.