WILLEMSTAD (DA) — The Curaçao men’s national team hosts Trinidad and Tobago at 6 p.m. Thursday at Stadion Ergilio Hato, seeking a third straight victory in the CONCACAF Nations League.
The Blue Wave opened with a 4-3 comeback win over Costa Rica before beating Nicaragua 6-1. Trinidad and Tobago lost 3-2 to Haiti and 2-1 to the Dominican Republic.
Curaçao leads Group A on goal difference, ahead of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. All 3 have 6 points, while Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica and Nicaragua remain without a point. The top 2 advance to the quarterfinals.
A victory would take Curaçao to 9 points without guaranteeing qualification. A draw would leave it on 7 points and in the top 2 heading into Sunday. A defeat would leave it on 6 points, still in contention.
Either a win or a draw would secure Curaçao’s League A status. Winning both remaining matches would guarantee a quarterfinal place with 12 points.
Haiti visits the Dominican Republic at 8 p.m. Thursday, followed by Nicaragua hosting Costa Rica at 10 p.m., both Curaçao time. The Blue Wave finishes its group campaign Sunday against Trinidad and Tobago in Port of Spain.
Dick Advocaat must continue to respect playing-time limits imposed by some players’ clubs during a schedule of 4 matches between Sept. 24 and Oct. 4.
Jordi Paulina is suspended after receiving a yellow card in each of the opening matches. Article 22.12.4 of the CONCACAF Nations League regulations makes 2 bookings in different matches an automatic suspension for the next game.
Leandro Bacuna was booked against Costa Rica and Juninho Bacuna against Nicaragua. Both remain eligible with 1 yellow each, but another booking Thursday would rule them out of Sunday’s return match.
The Curaçao Football Federation (FFK) confirmed Sunday that Nigel Thomas would not join the squad while recovering from a shoulder injury. The technical staff kept open the possibility of calling him in for the Trinidad and Tobago matches if needed.
Trinidad and Tobago will be without Wayne Frederick II and Daniel Phillips following their dismissals against the Dominican Republic. Noah Powder remains eligible with 1 yellow but would miss Sunday if booked again.
Tyrese Spicer, Dante Sealy, Roald Mitchell and Nathaniel James are unavailable through injury, while Kobi Henry remained with Real Salt Lake.