FIFA WC 2026: 'There is no shame in losing to a team like Germany,' admits Curacao coach Advocaat
Houstan, June 15
Curacao head coach Dick Advocaat urged his players to remain positive after their huge 7-1 loss to Germany in their opening Group E match at the FIFA World Cup, saying qualification for the tournament itself was already a remarkable achievement for the Caribbean side.
Curacao briefly stunned its more illustrious opponent by drawing level at 1-1 midway through the first half after Livano Comenencia scored the team's first-ever goal at a World Cup finals.
However, Germany's superior quality and depth ultimately proved decisive as the four-time world champion pulled away to secure a comprehensive victory.
Speaking after the match, Advocaat acknowledged the gap between the two teams but insisted the result should not overshadow what his players had accomplished by reaching the tournament, reports Xinhua.
"Germany is one of the strongest teams in the competition, and we knew it would be a difficult challenge," the 78-year-old Dutchman said. "Of course, the scoreline is disappointing, but I don't believe there is any shame in losing to a team of that calibre."
Advocaat said Curacao had hoped to make life difficult for Germany but was punished for defensive mistakes and struggled to cope with the Europeans' attacking quality, particularly in the second half.
The veteran coach said his immediate focus would be on helping the players recover mentally before their next group-stage fixture against Ecuador.
"We have to keep our confidence and continue believing in ourselves," he said. "This is our first World Cup, and there is still a lot to play for in the remaining matches.
Advocaat praised Curacao supporters who travelled to Houston and created a vibrant atmosphere throughout the match.
He said the enthusiasm shown by the fans reflected the significance of the team's historic campaign and expressed hope that the players would continue to enjoy the experience of competing on football's biggest stage.
Curacao will next face Ecuador, while Germany will take on Cote d'Ivoire.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As an American, I find this story inspiring. Curacao is a tiny island with a population smaller than many US cities, and they're at the World Cup. The fact that they scored a goal against Germany is incredible. Advocaat is showing class here. Meanwhile, some other teams with much bigger populations and budgets couldn't even qualify.
This reminds me of when India played in the 1950 World Cup! 😄 But seriously, Curacao's journey is a lesson for Indian football. We need to focus on grassroots development and consistent exposure to top-level competition. Even getting to score against Germany is a big deal. Kudos to Advocaat for keeping the team's morale up - proper coach mentality!
Respect to Advocaat for his honesty. It's refreshing to see a coach who doesn't make excuses but also doesn't tear down his players. 7-1 is a tough scoreline, but when you're playing a four-time champion like Germany, that's reality for a debutant. Let's see if they can bounce back against Ecuador - that's the real test of character.
Main point: Advocaat is absolutely correct. For a small nation like Curacao, just reaching the World Cup is a huge achievement. I wish Indian football had this kind of exposure and mentality. Our cricketers would never say "no shame in losing" but that humility is exactly what football needs. Curacao's first World Cup goal - history made! 🇨🇼👏
S Sarah B I think there's We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.