HOUSTON (DA) — Curaçao coach Dick Advocaat said during the team’s MD-1 press conference in Houston that his squad is fully fit and ready for Germany, with the Blue Wave preparing to face one of world football’s giants with a clear plan and nothing to lose.
Advocaat said every player is available for the match and that Curaçao’s approach is set. Germany, he said, is expected to have more of the ball, but Curaçao will look to use the spaces Germany creates.
“We’re playing a fantastic team,” Advocaat said.
The match will test Curaçao against one of the tournament’s most powerful sides, but Advocaat said the challenge does not change the job. Coaches always try to make life difficult for the opponent, he said, and Curaçao will try to do the same against Germany.
Asked about the noon kickoff, Advocaat said the team has to deal with the schedule it was given.
The Dutch coach also said his connection to Curaçao has grown during his time with the national team. While he remains Dutch, Advocaat said working with Curaçao for two years has made him feel part of the country’s football journey.
Captain Leandro Bacuna said Curaçao enters the match as the underdog, but that role also brings freedom.
Bacuna said the team’s identity has helped carry it to this stage. He pointed to the players’ joy, togetherness, dancing and energy as part of what makes Curaçao different.
He also said the team wants to reward Advocaat, who gave players the chance to have their wives and children close during the journey.
Bacuna said representing Curaçao remains deeply personal. He said his parents left the island for the Netherlands in search of better opportunities, but that his connection to Curaçao has never been in question.
Curaçao, Bacuna said, is an island full of talent that does not always get the chance to reach this level.
“I feel very honored,” Bacuna said. “As small as we are, we have a very big heart.”