HOUSTON, June 14 (Xinhua) -- World Cup debutant Curacao will look to make history when it faces four-time champion Germany in their opening Group E match on Sunday, with head coach Dick Advocaat expressing confidence that the Caribbean side can compete against one of football's traditional powers.
The team, which relies heavily on players of Curacaoan heritage born in the Netherlands, arrives at the tournament determined to prove it belongs on the world's biggest stage.
Advocaat, 78, will become the oldest coach in World Cup history on Sunday. The Dutchman is also set to coach a third different team at the tournament after previously leading the Netherlands and South Korea.
Despite the challenge of facing Germany, Ecuador and Cote d'Ivoire in the group, Advocaat said his side has no reason to fear any opponent.
"We are a small team compared to Germany, but we will make life difficult for them and be a tough team to play," Advocaat told reporters on Saturday.
"It sometimes happens that small teams, amateur teams, beat much bigger sides. In the Netherlands, this happens regularly."
Advocaat said Curacao would seek to take advantage of opportunities created by Germany's attacking style.
"Germany will be the dominant team and we have to respond to that. We are going to use the space that Germany will create [when they attack] and benefit from it."
The veteran coach also highlighted the strong atmosphere within the squad, describing it as the best team spirit he has witnessed during his long coaching career.
"The team spirit in this team is something I've never seen before. As a team we will give everything to win for the island, but we're not the favorite," Advocaat said.
"When you are participating with the Netherlands or a bigger team, you are one of the favorites. Now it is just amazing to be a part of this."
"We would like to show them what we can do and what we're worth. And for the island of Curacao, it is amazing what we have shown the people over the past two years."
Advocaat said all players are available for selection and stressed that Curacao aims to compete rather than simply participate.
"We have nothing to lose. The expectation is not that high outside of us as a squad, because we think we can surprise people. Just being here is great for the players, but we also have to show people what we are made of."
"I think we will have to steal some points, but in a legitimate way. We want to show them that we have a good plan."
Curacao's relaxed and upbeat attitude has attracted attention in the tournament buildup, with videos of players singing and dancing on the team bus widely shared on social media.
Captain Leandro Bacuna said enjoying the occasion remains an important part of the team's identity.
"We are a team that we love to have a little bit of a party as well," Bacuna said. "We love to have fun."
Like many of his teammates, Bacuna was born in the Netherlands but represents Curacao through his family roots.
"People sometimes say I'm not really from Curacao. But these are people, my parents, who had been looking for opportunities and these opportunities are not always present on Curacao," he said.
"But we are Curacaoans and we love Curacao!" ■
