Article by Mihai Șovei – Published Monday, June 15, 2026, 00:22 / Updated Monday, June 15, 2026 00:32
Dick Advocaat (78 years old), the Curacao national team coach, spoke afterwards decisive defeat, score 1-7against Germany, in the team's first match at the World Championship.
He stated that his players should not hang their heads after this defeat, being confident that the national team can take positive results from the duels with Ivory Coast and Ecuador.
Dick Advocaat: “The joy of the people of Curacao is fantastic”
The 78-year-old Dutchman said his players did not expect such a result, but admitted his side conceded easy goals in the Caribbean nation's first appearance at a World Cup.
“We have to make this a beautiful tournament. We can have a surprise in the second and third games. In the end, we will be happy to have been part of the biggest football tournament in the world.
We expected to do more against Germany, but we couldn't. They were very, very strong and we conceded some easy goals. Players know that if they lose they should not be discouraged. It's not a shame,” said – Dick Advocaat, according to Reuters.
He also commented on the moment before the game, when he could not hide his tears while the national anthem of Curacao was being sung.
This is related to the joy of the people of Curacao. This is when emotions come to the surface. The joy of the people is fantastic.
– Dick Lawyer
Dick Advocaat, tears before Germany – Curacao // photo: X @TouchlineX
Dick Advocaat, the oldest head coach to lead a team to a World Championship
At Sunday night's game, Dick Advocaat officially became the oldest head coach to lead a team to a World Cup. He was 78 years and 260 days old, breaking a record that had stood for more than a decade.
Until the current edition of the final tournament, the record was held by Otto Rehhagel. The legendary German coach was 71 years and 317 days old when he led Greece to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
