WILLEMSTAD (DA) — Kenji Gorré scored twice as Curaçao overwhelmed Nicaragua 6-1 on Sunday, building a five-goal halftime lead to finish the second round of CONCACAF Nations League matches atop League A’s Group A.
The victory at Stadion Ergilio Hato gave coach Dick Advocaat a win on his birthday and kept the Blue Wave unbeaten through two matches. Curaçao has six points, level with Haiti and the Dominican Republic, but leads on goal difference.
Livano Comenencia, Leandro Bacuna, Juninho Bacuna and substitute Jürgen Locadia also scored as Curaçao followed Thursday’s 4-3 comeback victory over Costa Rica with a match it controlled from the opening minutes.
Comenencia put the hosts ahead in the sixth minute. Gorré doubled the advantage in the 11th, with Juninho Bacuna providing the assist, before Leandro Bacuna made it 3-0 in the 19th off an assist from Jeremy Antonisse.
Juninho Bacuna added the fourth in the 27th. Gorré completed his double in the 39th, assisted by Comenencia, sending Curaçao into halftime with a 5-0 lead.
Advocaat made three changes at the break. Nicky Souren replaced Leandro Bacuna, Tahith Chong came on for Juninho Bacuna and Tyrese Noslin took over for Shurandy Sambo.
Locadia replaced Jordi Paulina in the 57th minute, but Nicaragua scored next. Halftime substitute Jaime Moreno pulled a goal back in the 62nd to make it 5-1.
Chong repeatedly tested Nicaragua goalkeeper Jason Vega during the second half as Curaçao continued to create chances. The hosts eventually added their sixth in the 88th minute, when Locadia scored off an assist from Kyano Penso, who had replaced Gorré 10 minutes earlier.
Curaçao finished with 22 attempts to Nicaragua’s five and a 13-1 advantage in shots on target. The Blue Wave had 57% possession.
The result left Curaçao with 10 goals scored and four conceded through two matches, giving it a plus-six goal difference. Haiti stands second at plus-three after beating Costa Rica 2-0, while the Dominican Republic is third at plus-two following a 2-1 victory over Trinidad and Tobago.
Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica and Nicaragua remain without a point. Nicaragua sits last with a minus-six goal difference.
Curaçao next hosts Trinidad and Tobago on Oct. 1.