GLASGOW (DA) — Curaçao struck first but could not hold on after Jürgen Locadia was sent off in the first half, falling 4-1 to Scotland in a friendly at Barclays Hampden on Saturday.
Tahith Chong gave Curaçao the lead in the 17th minute, finishing with his left foot from the center of the box after an assist from Armando Obispo.
The match shifted in the 38th minute when Locadia was shown a red card for violent conduct after a VAR review upgraded the original decision. Curaçao played the rest of the match with 10 men.
It is not yet clear whether Locadia’s direct red card will have consequences for Curaçao’s upcoming matches. The Curaçao Football Federation (FFK) is waiting for the official match report and cannot yet provide clarity on a possible suspension.
Scotland equalized just before halftime through Findlay Curtis, who scored in the 45th minute after an assist from Kenny McLean.
Curaçao coach Dick Advocaat said he was not satisfied with the final score, but pointed to the red card as a major turning point.
“Not satisfied with the 4-1, no, but again 11 against 10 was quite difficult for us,” Advocaat said.
Advocaat said Curaçao needed to do more in moments when it could press forward and counter. He said Curaçao had some control of the match through the first 35 to 40 minutes, even with Scotland also capable of playing, but the sending off and especially Scotland’s equalizer made the game difficult.
Otherwise, Advocaat said, Curaçao played very well. He also felt that in the first part of the game, the referee whistled only against Curaçao.
The home side took control in the second half. Lawrence Shankland made it 2-1 in the 59th minute off an assist from Ryan Christie following a corner, then scored again in the 64th minute after a pass from Lyndon Dykes.
Christie completed the scoring in the 81st minute, converting a penalty after Juriën Gaari fouled Curtis in the box.
Eloy Room kept Curaçao in the match with several saves, including stops on Shankland, Dykes, McLean and Christie during a second half in which Scotland pushed the advantage.
Curaçao also had late chances. Jeremy Antonisse forced a save in the 78th minute, Tyrese Noslin missed from the right side of the box shortly after, and Deveron Fonville had two headed attempts in the final minutes.
Gervane Kastaneer, who entered at halftime, was shown a yellow card in the 83rd minute. Chong also received a yellow card in the first half.
The match drew an attendance of 44,433 in Glasgow.