Van Aanholt: 'Curaçao's do-or-die clash with Ivory Coast a must-win'

Curaçao must win their World Cup qualifier against Ivory Coast this evening to advance to the next round. The match kicks off at 17:00 local time in Group E. Van Aanholt, analyst for VoetbalPrimeur, expects a tough encounter. "It will be even harder than against Ecuador because Curaçao must win," he said. The team took a point against Ecuador but needs all three against Ivory Coast to progress. "A draw isn’t enough — it’s all or nothing." The simultaneous Ecuador vs Germany match won’t distract the Curaçao squad. "You focus solely on your own game," Van Aanholt noted. "Knowing other results helps, but ultimately you must deliver on the pitch." He advocates maintaining the five-man defence used against Ecuador and Germany, adding: "Jeremy Antonisse deserves a chance — he’s an attacker with individual quality." Eloy Room’s form is crucial for Curaçao. "If he keeps his level, he can steady the team," Van Aanholt said. He warned against overcommitting early: "Stay disciplined like against Ecuador. Don’t rush — wait for chances and strike."

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Dick Advocaat’s role is pivotal. "His experience in big games is invaluable," Van Aanholt stressed. "He must keep the team believing, even if the score stays 0-0 for long." A win would spark unprecedented celebrations on the island. "It won’t just be a party — it’ll be absolute chaos," Van Aanholt predicted. He called qualification "gigantic" for Curaçaoan football, inspiring young players to dream bigger. Supporters are urged to keep backing the team. "Feel the support even from afar," Van Aanholt said. "This is a historic chance. Enjoy it and believe — in football, anything’s possible."

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Van Aanholt’s prediction: a tight, tense match ending 1-0 to Curaçao in the second half, triggering island-wide jubilation. He emphasized the squad’s collective spirit: "They’re playing not just for themselves, but for all of Curaçao. A win would inspire generations and become a story told for years."