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, the replacement for Guus Hiddink, 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, is therefore the deciding factor.
Panama failed to match the level of the first game in Willemstad. The possession was for Curaçao, which also had the prospect of a goal via Juninho Bacuna. Goalkeeper Luis Mejía avoided a deficit. After less than an hour of play, Panama had an excellent opportunity to take the lead: from eleven meters. Goalkeeper Eloy Room kept Curaçao going by choosing the same angle as Édgar Bárcenas, after which the rebound was eliminated in time by Curaçao’s defense.
A HUGE save from Eloy Room to deny Panama from the spot ?? pic.twitter.com/FwJ8Snfv7h
— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) June 16, 2021
Curaçao’s self-confidence grew, while Panama started to play more nervously and caused little danger. Eight minutes before the end, the visitors got away well when a bet by Anthony van den Hurk, who came in for Rangelo Janga after more than an hour of play, hit the post. Curaçao is thus stranded in the third qualifying round of the CONCACAF zone, ahead of countries from Central and North America.
Canada, which was too strong for Suriname in the second round, got rid of Haiti (3-0 and 0-1 win), and El Salvador had little trouble with Saint Kitts and Nevis (0-4 and 2-0 win). In an entire competition, Mexico, United States, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Honduras, Panama, Canada and El Salvador compete for three direct tickets to the World Cup. The number four still plays an intercontinental play-off.
Curacao setup: Room; Gaari, Martina, Lachman, Maria; Anita, Leandro Bacuna, Juninho Bacuna; Kuwas, Janga and Hay. Substitutes: Van den Hurk, Benschop and Statie.