KINGSTON, Jamaica — Curaçao Football Federation President Gilbert Martina says his team is on the verge of history as they gear up for their World Cup qualifying match at Jamaica’s National Stadium on Tuesday.

The Reggae Boyz will take on Curacao at 8:00 pm in a match that will determine who will be among the automatic qualifiers for the World Cup next year.

Speaking with Observer Online, Martina said it has been a “great journey” for Curaçao, noting that the team is aiming to become the smallest nation ever to qualify for the competition.

He said that it would be a “great source of inspiration, perseverance, but also that a small, tiny island like Curaçao…can have big dreams and that those big dreams can manifest”.

Martina also addressed the impact of losing head coach Dick Advocaat, saying the setback has created added “double motivation” for the players. He explained that it has given the team an opportunity “to not only play for their country but for their former coach”.

Asked about playing on Jamaican soil and whether the atmosphere could distract the team, Martina said, “Every player…is used to playing for such big and important games”.

He added that the qualification would also serve as inspiration for the younger generation.

“It will be a big source of inspiration [for] the young ones who are growing up [to not] have to look up anymore to Neymar or to Messi; they have their own heroes now on the field,” he said.