\n
BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) \u2014 Curacao<\/span> We are making historic preparations for this world cup<\/span> He played his debut match against four-time champion Germany with excitement and pride.<\/p>\nOn Sunday, the island nation of 150,000 will become the smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup.<\/p>\n
coach dick advocaat<\/span> has done its best to help its players stay focused and relaxed as they navigate this unprecedented experience.<\/p>\nDefender Shurandy Sambo said coach Advocaat told him, “Don’t be nervous, just be yourself” just before the team departed from its base camp in Florida for Houston. \u201cObviously everyone is excited, but be yourself and show yourself, because this is the biggest stage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Curacao’s players have worked hard to ensure they are ready for their debut. Germany, who will be participating in the World Cup for the 21st time, are heavy favorites.<\/p>\n
“We’ve watched a lot of footage of Germany, how they play and what they can do,” Sambo said.<\/p>\n
Advocaat said there was added pressure on a team like Germany that was considered favorites to win, and that his team “has everything to win and nothing to lose.”<\/p>\n
He is confident that Curacao is ready to play against Germany, calling Germany a strong candidate.<\/p>\n
“We are a very small country compared to Germany and it would make life very difficult for them,” he said. “We’re going to be a very unpleasant team to play.” <\/p>\n
The Curacao team represents a country that rarely has such a big moment on the international sporting stage.<\/p>\n
Due to strong ties with the Netherlands, Cura\u00e7ao is not recognized as a home country in the Olympics, and despite producing a remarkable number of professional baseball players per capita, Cura\u00e7ao players represent the Netherlands at the Olympics. World Baseball Classic.<\/span><\/p>\n“We’re not here just to be here,” midfielder Aljani Marsa said. “We want to show ourselves and get good results.”<\/p>\n
Although Cura\u00e7ao has a small population, there are probably many supporters who will support them as they make history. Sambo said that in addition to his own family, 21 other players’ families will also be in attendance.<\/p>\n
“I would like to describe (us) as one big family,” defender Libano Conencia said. “If you see us on the bus or outside the bus or in a hotel, we’re always with the music and we’re always happy. Everyone is around each other.”<\/p>\n
___<\/p>\n
Gracie Fisher is a student at the University of Georgia’s Carmical Sports Media Institute.<\/p>\n
___<\/p>\n
AP Sports Writer Christy Rieken contributed to this article.<\/p>\n
___<\/p>\n
AP World Cup coverage: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/fifa-world-cup<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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