PORT OF SPAIN (DA) — Curaçao needs a draw against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, Oct. 4, to secure a place in the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals, with the hosts facing a lengthy list of absences as they fight to avoid relegation.
Kickoff at Hasely Crawford Stadium is at 6 p.m. Curaçao time. The Blue Wave enters its final group match with 3 victories and 9 points, level with Haiti but leading Group A on goal difference. The Dominican Republic is third with 6 points.
A win or draw guarantees Curaçao a top-two finish. A defeat would leave qualification dependent on the other results and, if necessary, tiebreakers. Haiti visits Costa Rica, while the Dominican Republic plays at Nicaragua. Overall goal difference is the first tiebreaker after points.
Dick Advocaat regains Jordi Paulina, who served a one-match suspension Thursday after receiving yellow cards in the opening 2 games. Curaçao collected no cards in its 1-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago, leaving Leandro Bacuna and Juninho Bacuna eligible with 1 yellow each. There are no new card suspensions for the Blue Wave.
No additional injuries or withdrawals have been publicly announced among the players involved Thursday. Nigel Thomas did not join the squad while recovering from a shoulder injury; the Curaçao Football Federation (FFK) had kept open the possibility of bringing him in if needed. Advocaat must also account for playing-time limits imposed by some clubs during the 4-match window.
Trinidad and Tobago will be without captain Levi Garcia, Tyrese Spicer, Dante Sealy, Josiah Trimmingham and Nathaniel James through injury. Rio Cardines has returned to Bristol City after playing with a groin injury, while Déron Payne has also returned to his club.
Dantaye Gilbert, Daniel Phillips and Noah Powder are suspended. Gilbert was sent off Thursday after 2 yellow cards, and Powder received his second booking of the competition. Andrew De Gannes and Justin Garcia have also had injury concerns, although neither was confirmed unavailable for Sunday.
J. Bacuna scored Thursday’s winner in the 58th minute from Tahith Chong’s assist. That followed Curaçao’s 4-3 comeback victory at Costa Rica and 6-1 win over Nicaragua.
Trinidad and Tobago has lost all 3 group matches. To retain its League A place, it must beat Curaçao, have Haiti defeat Costa Rica and overturn Costa Rica’s advantage on goal difference.