WILLEMSTAD (DA) — Dick Advocaat went to his bench once in Curaçao’s 0-0 draw with Panama on Thursday, sending Kenji Gorré on for Arjany Martha in the second half of the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal opener.
Curaçao matched the fewest substitutions made by a team in a match in this edition of the tournament. Guadeloupe also made one change against Saint Lucia in October.
Panama held Curaçao to 6 shots, the fewest by Advocaat’s team in a Nations League or FIFA World Cup match in 2026.
Advocaat said both teams had chances before halftime. He credited Curaçao for keeping Panama scoreless in a second half in which Panama had more possession and created chances while his side rarely got forward.
The second leg kicks off Sunday at 7 p.m. Curaçao time (6 p.m. in Panama) at Estadio Rommel Fernández Gutiérrez in Panama City.
Curaçao advances with a win or a draw with goals in regulation, which would send it through on away goals. Another 0-0 after 90 minutes would force extra time, followed by a penalty shootout if the teams remain level.
The series winner advances to the Nations League semifinals and qualifies directly for the 2027 Gold Cup. The losing team goes to the Gold Cup preliminary round.