WILLEMSTAD, SAN JOSÉ – Ahead of their crucial final group stage match in the Gold Cup, the Curaçao national team is brimming with confidence as they prepare to face Honduras in what will be a must-win encounter. Head coach Dick Advocaat expressed his satisfaction with the team's current form and mentality, saying,
“The mindset, the play, the energy in the squad – it looks really good. This is a team that doesn’t give up.”
Following a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Canada, Curaçao now sits third in Group B with two points, trailing Honduras (3 points) and group leader Canada (4 points). Curaçao must win tonight to advance to the quarterfinals, while Canada plays simultaneously against El Salvador, which currently has just one point.
Advocaat: “The foundation is strong”
Speaking to the press, Advocaat praised his players’ resilience:
“Everyone says Curaçao is a tough team to beat. That was evident against Canada as well. We have a group of guys with incredible drive.”
The experienced Dutch coach indicated he plans few changes to the starting lineup:
“Our foundation is solid. There’s no need for major adjustments.”
Regarding tactics against Honduras, Advocaat acknowledged the strength of the opposition:
“This isn’t about whether we want to start offensively or not – it’s also about the opponent. Honduras is a strong side. I expect them to play on the counter, be defensively compact, and look to attack with pace. We need to be very alert to that.”
Historical Edge for Curaçao
Curaçao’s recent track record against Honduras gives cause for optimism. The two sides have met three times in recent years, with Curaçao earning two notable victories.
On June 21, 2019, Curaçao defeated Honduras 1-0 in the Gold Cup group stage, thanks to a goal from Leandro Bacuna. It was not only Curaçao’s first-ever Gold Cup goal, but also their first win in the tournament.
In the 2022 CONCACAF Nations League, the teams clashed again. Curaçao lost 1-0 at home on June 3 but bounced back with a 2-1 away victory just three days later. Bacuna and Anthony van den Hurk scored in that historic win in Honduras.
High Stakes in San José
With the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stage, tonight’s match is make-or-break for Curaçao. The game will kick off at 10:00 PM local time in San José, Costa Rica.
A victory will secure Curaçao a place in the quarterfinals, continuing what has already been a resilient and determined campaign under the leadership of Advocaat.
The island will be watching closely, hoping for another memorable chapter in Curaçao’s growing football legacy.
