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Thể Thao 247 - King’s Cup’ organizer has announced the last team named Curacao. The team from CONCACAF is unfamiliar with Vietnamese fans.
It seems that Vietnam NT would face a redoubtable rival
FAT had an arduous effort and finally, the federation sought out the last team attending King’s Cup 2019, which means Vietnam and Thailand will take on them.
About Curacao NT, it seems that Vietnamese fans have never heard about that name. In the past, Curacao was an autonomy to the overseas territories of the Netherlands. From 2010, Curacao obtained the status of an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The total land area is 441 Km2, being 1/8 Hanoi’s. Curacao’s 2017 population was about over 160.000 which was much fewer than Vietnam’s 90 milions.
On March 2011, Curacao was replaced for Antilles Holland in the Member list of FIFA. (as Czech took the place of Czechoslovakia or Russia took over from the Soviet Union). In the first international game of Curacao, it faced Dominica on August 8, 2011.
Throughout history, if counted Antilles Holland, Curacao attended Gold Cup five times. The best achievement the team had was the 3rd of the rankings 50 years ago. The latest edition, Curacao even disqualified from the Group stage.
Curacao’s players mainly played in Europe
However, the island team scored the winner 2-1 over Jamaica making Curacao led the way of Caribe Cup 2017 and still is the reign champion. From 2018 up to now, Curacao has won 4, draw 1 and lost 1. The victories of the team almost against weak football teams and the most stellar game was defeating 1-0 Bolivia early last year.
Regarding the squad information, Curacao’s players mainly played in Europe. Some featured players were Eloy (PSV), Cuco Martina (Feyenoord),... The most familiar name for SEA fans is Leandro Bacuna who is playing Cardiff City in Premier League.
Comparing Vietnam and Thailand to Curacao NT, it seems that Curacao would be a redoubtable rival. Meanwhile, it will be an occasion for Coach Park’s to rub shoulders with other teams from outside Asia’s borders.
As scheduled, Thailand will encounter India meanwhile Vietnam will encounter Curacao on 16.30 June 5. The winners and losers of these two matches will face each other in the final competition to fight for the champion cup and the third place of the tournament.
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