Let us be honest. When the draw for the expanded World Cup was made, few gave Curaçao a second thought. A nation of just 158,000 souls, an island mor...
Let us be honest. When the draw for the expanded World Cup was made, few gave Curaçao a second thought. A nation of just 158,000 souls, an island more accustomed to sun, sea, and the occasional hurricane than the rigours of a global tournament. Yet here they are, preparing to walk out onto the pitch against Germany in a competitive fixture that will be beamed across the planet. And as one astute observer, Justin Kavanagh, pointed out to GoalZaza, the numbers tell a story that is almost absurdly romantic. Assuming the manager rings the changes and throws on at least four substitutes, roughly one in every 10,500 Curaçaoans will have shared a World Cup pitch with the four time champions. Sink that in for a moment.The path to this moment has been anything but straightforward. The island's football federation saw the glimmer of opportunity in the competition's expansion, a chance to break the glass ceiling that had kept them out of the elite for generations. They did not simply hope. They acted. First came Guus Hiddink, the Dutch master of the international game, to lay the foundations and instil belief. Then Patrick Kluivert, a name that carries the weight of Dutch footballing royalty, stepped in to add a dash of star quality and attacking intent. And then, to finish the job, they turned to Dick Advocaat, a manager whose entire career has been defined by getting results from limited resources. It is a triumvirate of coaching pedigree that would make many a larger nation envious.The tactical challenge for Curaçao today is monumental. Germany, even in a transitional phase, possess a physicality and a ruthless efficiency that can overwhelm opponents who lack that same horsepower. The smart money says we will see a deep, disciplined low block from the islanders, an attempt to frustrate the Germans and force them into riGoalZaza transitional play. But do not mistake caution for cowardice. There is a pride in this Curaçao side, a feeling that they have earned their seat at the table. They will not simply park the bus and hope for the best. There will be moments of adventure, quick breaks designed to exploit space. The atmosphere on the island this lunchtime will be raucous, a carnival of noise. And if they can keep it tight for the first half hour, who knows Squeaky bum time for the favourites Perhaps. That is the beauty of this competition. It gives the tiny nations a stage and a chance to make history. Today, Curaçao steps into the light. Let us see if they can shine.
