SYDNEY (DA) — Curaçao opened the FIFA Series with a 2-0 loss to China on Friday after conceding once just before halftime and again in the second half in Fred Rutten’s first match in charge.
Wei Shihao scored in first-half stoppage time and Zhang Yuning added another in the 59th minute as China took the result in the pre-arranged fixture.
Curaçao finished without a shot on target despite holding 65% of the ball and taking seven total shots. The team also did not register a big chance.
Leandro Bacuna said the result did not reflect a poor overall display from Curaçao and called it part of the team’s learning process under the new coach.
“Today was not a bad game at all, it was a learning process for us,” Bacuna said. “The first half we played quite a good game. As the coach pointed out the game is a game of moments, you got to be strong just before halftime or just before the 90th minute.”
Bacuna said Curaçao had control for stretches of the first half and believed the team had prepared for the way China would play.
“The first half we were in control, we knew the way that they were playing, we analyzed them, we knew exactly what was coming for us,” he said. “We were sloppy here and there. China was not that much better than us.”
Rutten struck a similar tone afterward, saying he saw enough in the performance to build on even though two decisive moments changed the match.
“I saw quite a few points to build on,” Rutten said. “Football is made up of moments, and it was two moments that made us lose the match.”
Eloy Room started in goal for Curaçao. Jurien Gaari, Sherel Floranus, Joshua Brenet and Riechedly Bazoer lined up in defense, while Juninho Bacuna, Sontje Hansen and Kenji Gorré started in midfield. Brandley Kuwas played forward, with Livano Comenencia and captain Leandro Bacuna also in the starting side.
Curaçao made several changes during the match, including halftime substitutions that brought on Tahith Chong, Jearl Margaretha, Jeremy Antonisse and Gervane Kastaneer. Tyrese Noslin and Roshon van Eijma entered in the 63rd minute, while Kevin Felida and Godfried Roemeratoe came on in the 80th.
Curaçao’s next match in the FIFA Series is against Australia.