Room makes 15 saves as Curacao earn first World Cup point
Eloy Room held off Ecuador in a 0-0 draw in Kansas City, keeping Curacao’s knockout hopes alive after a heavy opening defeat.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
3 min read
Curacao claimed the first World Cup point in the nation’s history with a 0-0 draw against Ecuador on Saturday, a result that kept alive its chance of reaching the knockout phase. AFP reported that goalkeeper Eloy Room made 15 saves in Kansas City as Ecuador failed to turn heavy pressure into a goal.
Ecuador, second in South American qualifying, took 28 shots and put 15 of them on target, according to AFP. Room’s total was the most saves recorded by a goalkeeper in a World Cup match without extra time since records began in 1966, AFP reported.
Curacao arrived at the match needing a response after losing 7-1 to Germany in its tournament opener. AFP described the team as World Cup debutants and the smallest nation by population ever to qualify for the competition.
Ecuador supporters filled much of Arrowhead Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs, in yellow, AFP reported. Curacao also had royal backing in the stands from Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima; the island is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The Dutch connection runs through the squad. AFP reported that 25 of Curacao’s 26 players were born in the Netherlands, and that most play club football there. The team is coached by veteran Dutch manager Dick Advocaat.
Room frustrates Ecuador from the start
Ecuador almost struck in the third minute when Enner Valencia broke through the center, but Room pushed the attempt around the post, according to AFP. Sherel Floranus then shot over for Curacao as Advocaat’s side looked for openings on the counterattack.
Valencia later missed another close-range chance against Room, and Jordy Alcivar also had an effort as Ecuador controlled the ball. AFP reported that Ecuador had 65 percent of possession in the first half but went into the break scoreless.
The same pattern held after halftime. Near the hour mark, Room stopped a header from Gonzalo Plata before Curacao produced a spell of chances of its own, AFP reported.
Ecuador, ranked more than 50 places above Curacao by FIFA, pushed harder as the match wore on but could not break through. Substitute Angelo Preciado nearly benefited from a mishit cross late on, but the ball bounced off the top of the crossbar and went out, according to AFP.
Curacao’s players surrounded Room after the final whistle to celebrate the draw. The point followed Germany’s 2-1 comeback win over Ivory Coast earlier in Toronto, a result AFP said secured Germany’s place in the round of 32 and ensured it would finish top of the group.
Ecuador will face Germany on Thursday. Curacao’s final group match is against Ivory Coast, AFP reported.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.