Curaçao’s national football team faces a historic World Cup qualifying match against Jamaica without its veteran coach Dick Advocaat, who departed due to a family emergency.
The 78-year-old Dutch manager returned home from Jamaica, where the crucial match will be played, citing personal reasons. His unexpected absence comes just as the team prepares for what could be its first-ever qualification for the World Cup finals.
“It is a very difficult decision to have to leave the boys,” Advocaat said in a statement. “I made it with great regret, but family is more important than football.”
The coach confirmed he would maintain close contact with the technical staff from the Netherlands. He expressed full confidence in his players despite his absence.
Captain Leandro Bacuna stated that Advocaat’s departure would serve as an extra motivator. “We play not only for ourselves and our island, but also for our coach,” Bacuna said.
A draw against Jamaica later this week is all the Caribbean island nation needs to secure its historic spot.
Curaçao is a small island in the Caribbean, spanning 444 square kilometers (171 square miles) with a population of approximately 155,000.