Riechedly Bazoer was one of the surprising names in Curaçao’s pre-selection for the Gold Cup, which starts next month. However, the center defender annex midfielder of Vitesse does not think about accepting the invitation of the Antillean football association, writes the Gelderlander. National coach Guus Hiddink and his assistant Patrick Kluivert have been told that Bazoer’s name must be immediately removed from the pre-selection.
Bazoer’s management late the Gelderlander know that Bazoer is “in any case not available” for the Gold Cup. The decision of Hiddink and Kluivert to include him in the pre-selection has been completely wrong, as attempts have been made for some time to persuade Bazoer to choose Curaçao. Bazoer recently told Hiddink a ‘hard no’ and the fact that he is now suddenly part of the pre-selection is considered ‘a robbery’.
The 24-year-old Bazoer, six-time international of the Dutch, has not yet put the Dutch national team out of his mind, despite the disappointment that after a good season at Vitesse he was not once part of the pre-selection. For the time being, the center defender annex midfielder has only played practice matches for the the Dutch, so that he can switch to an international career for Curaçao. However, he has no plans to do so for now.
The pre-selection of Curaçao for the Gold Cup had more notable names, including Tyrell Malacia, Lutsharel Geertruida (both Feyenoord), Joshua Brenet (leased by TSG Hoffenheim to Vitesse), Ricardo van Rhijn (FC Emmen), Tahith Chong (by Manchester United on loan to Club Brugge) and Ruben Kluivert (FC Utrecht) received an invitation. It is unclear how they feel about an international career for Curaçao, but Geertruida and Malacia recently played international matches for the Dutch Juniors.
Earlier this week, Curaçao failed to reach the final round of the qualifying phase for the World Cup in Qatar. The team of interim national coach Patrick Kluivert, who has been at the helm since May because Hiddink is recovering from the corona virus, did not get further than a goalless draw against Panama on Tuesday evening local time: 0-0. Panama’s 2-1 victory in the first game, last Saturday in Panama City, was the deciding factor. In the Gold Cup, Curaçao comes into action in Group A, which includes Mexico in addition to El Salvador. The fourth opponent in the group stage of the tournament is still unknown, as the qualifying series has not yet been completed.