Curacao Aims to Spring World Cup Upset, Starts with Aussie Test

Rutten's rut squad eyes big win down under

Curacao coach Fred Rutten expects a stronger performance against Australia ahead of World Cup debut. Can the 82nd-ranked Curacao cause an upset at the World Cup? They face Australia in a friendly first.

Curacao looks to make a statement in Australia friendly before World Cup Group E clash...

Curacao's coach, Fred Rutten, is confident his team can pull off an upset at the World Cup, saying they're not just there to make up numbers. With a population of just 156,000, Curacao is the smallest nation to qualify for the tournament, but Rutten believes their fighting spirit and qualifying campaign have set them up for success in Group E.

Curacao will face tough opponents Germany, Ivory Coast, and Ecuador, but Rutten is optimistic, stating, “We have three chances, and the first chance is against Germany.” He added, “Generally, if it's a world championship or European championship, there were always surprises. And why not this year for us? We have a team of fighters, and they never give up.”

“We have three chances and the first chance ‌is against Germany,” he told reporters ⁠in Melbourne on Monday.

“So ‌for us it's not over in the first game.

“Generally, if it's a world championship or European championship, there were always surprises.

“And why not this year for us?

“We have a team of fighters, and they never give up.”

The Socceroos take on the Caribbean team, ranked 82nd in the world, in a friendly at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium. This is Rutten's second match in charge, following a 2-0 loss to China in Sydney last Friday.

Rutten believes a win against Australia would be a huge statement ahead of the World Cup, saying his players are ready to step up now that they're settled in Australia. “I expect more from them now,” he said, hinting at a stronger performance against the Socceroos.

Curacao's coach, Fred Rutten, has maintained consistency in the team since taking over from Dick Advocaat, who led the nation to World Cup qualification. Advocaat, a hero in Curacao, stepped down to care for his ill daughter, but remains involved with the team.

Rutten emphasized that Advocaat is still part of the football “family” and has wished the team good luck, saying, “He was part of the family and still feels he is.”

“He wished the team good luck because this team is a family,” he said.

“He ⁠was part of the ⁠family and still ‌feels he is.”