YOUTH
Garry Rodrigues to debut for Cape Verde vs Spain
Garry Rodrigues, 35, will make his World Cup debut for Cape Verde against Spain at 18:00 Dutch time. The match is part of the tournament in Spain.
Rodrigues says the fixture is no coincidence, recalling the 2010 World Cup final in South Africa where he watched the Netherlands lose to Spain. He remembered Iker Casillas denying a goal from Arjen Robben before Andres Iniesta scored in extra time, and said he shed many tears.
At the time Rodrigues worked as a post sorter for TNT and played for amateur side FC Boshuizen in Leiden. He began as a youth player at Feyenoord before moving to amateur football. He became top scorer at Boshuizen, prompting Maurice Steijn to sign him for ADO. He later represented FC Dordrecht, Levski Sofia, Elche, PAOK, Galatasaray, Al-Ittihad, Fenerbahçe, Olympiakos, Ankaragúcu and Sivaspor before joining Apollon Limassol.
Among the Dutch‑Cape Verdean squad Rodrigues is the oldest and most experienced, having debuted for the national team in 2013. He is also the first of that group to appear at a World Cup.
Rodrigues praised his fellow Rotterdam players: Sidny Lopes Cabral, 23, of Trabzonspor; Dailon Livramento, 25, of Casa Pia; Jamiro Monteiro, 32, of PEC Zwolle; Deroy Duarte, 26, of Loedogorets; and Laros Duarte, 29, of Puskás Akadémia. He described each as hardworking and talented, noting their varied career paths.