WILLEMSTAD, Curacao — Despite Curacao taking control away from the Reggae Boyz in Group B of the final round of Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers, Curacao head coach Dick Advocaat says it’s far from over as both teams vie for an automatic spot to next year’s FIFA World Cup.

Ten thousand fans celebrating Curacao Day inside the Ergilio Hato Stadium were beyond jubilant on Friday after witnessing their national team register a 2-0 win over Jamaica.

Livano Comenencia and Kenji Gorre were serenaded by the home support after their goals ensured Curacao picked up their second-straight win and move to the top of the group on seven points, one ahead of the Reggae Boyz on six.

While many at the stadium felt they dominated the Jamaican side, Advocaat told the Sunday Observer that luck was on their side.

“I said it before that Jamaica is a very good team, even though they lost today,” he said. “Curacao started very well the first half-hour, [scored] a good goal, [and] there were still some other chances.

“But in the last 10 minutes of the first half and the second half it was more for Jamaica, and we were a little bit lucky that they didn’t score and we were lucky that we, on the right, time scored two goals.”

It was the first time in the country’s history that there was a sold out crowd for a World Cup Qualifier and Advocaat, who was appointed in 2024, says the stadium is becoming a fortress.

“When we arrived here, when we started, there were 100 people and now it’s 10,000, so there’s so big difference from the start and now,” he said.

The result means destiny is more in the hands of Curacao as wins in their remaining three games, including the return fixture against the Reggae Boyz next month at the National Stadium, would see them booking their spot to the 2026 showpiece.

However, Advocaat played down the ‘in control’ tag as he’s wary of the Jamaicans and Trinidadians.

“The good thing is that the other teams have to win as well, and if a team has to do it then you get also some pressure,” he said.

“For us, it’s a little bit better but we also played against Trinidad. They have also a very good side, just like Jamaica, so as I said in the beginning, everything is still open.”

Curacao return here on Tuesday — as they host Trinidad and Tobago at 6:00 pm Jamaica time — while the Reggae Boyz entertain Bermuda on Tuesday at the National Stadium at 7:00 pm Jamaica time.

Only the group winners will automatically advance to next year’s World Cup while those in second place could potentially qualify for the inter-confederation play-offs.

Curacao players celebrate their second goal, scored by Kenji Goore, in their 2-0 win over Jamaica in FIFA World Cup qualifying at Ergilio Hato Stadium in Willemstad, Curacao, on Friday. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)