Overview
- The 78-year-old coach withdrew for family reasons and will not be present for Wednesday’s qualifier in Jamaica.
- The Curaçao Football Federation confirmed his absence and said his assistant coaches will manage the team.
- Advocaat told Voetbal International that family is more important than football and he will stay in close contact with staff from the Netherlands.
- Captain Leandro Bacuna called the situation added motivation, urging teammates to play for their coach and their island.
- Curaçao needs only a draw to clinch a first-ever World Cup place, a milestone carrying outsized significance for a nation of about 150,000 people.