WHILE Jamaicans will be hoping for qualification to the FIFA World Cup, 155,000 people from the island of Curacao will be hoping for the same for their national team.

Tonight at 8:00 pm the visitors take on the Reggae Boyz at the National Stadium in Kingston in the final game of Concacaf World Cup Qualifying.

Curacao are one point away from booking their spot at next year’s tournament as they lead Group B with 11 points — one ahead of the Jamaicans with 10.

It would be the first time in the country’s history that they would be qualifying for a World Cup, and Curacao Football Federation President Gilbert Martina believes they have defied the odds.

“It has been a great journey, a divine journey,” he told the Jamaica Observer. “I’ve seen so, so many things happening along this journey that you would say how that would be possible, but it has been possible.”

In October, Head Coach Dick Advocaat orchestrated a 2-0 win over the Reggae Boyz, which has contributed to their current advantage.

However, the experienced Dutchman will not be on the sidelines tonight after flying back to the Netherlands due to a family emergency.

Martina, though, says his unfortunate absence will boost the team’s morale.

“We spoke to them yesterday and every dark cloud has a silver lining. And this definitely is a silver lining because now they’re not only playing for the country, they’re also playing for the coach and his family, so it’s a double motivation.”

Over 30,000 fans inside the stadium will ultimately be against Curacao’s success but Martina believes the team won’t be bothered.

“Every player on the pitch, they are used to playing for such big and important games in the team — if it’s Turkey, if it’s Germany, if it’s Netherlands or England — so they are used to such an ambience,” he said.

“I will love the ambience with so many spectators looking at the game, and the good fortune will decide who will win tomorrow night.”

Unlike Jamaica, a draw will be enough to send Curacao to the World Cup and allow them to become the smallest nation ever to qualify.

Martina believes this could be a groundbreaking achievement for the island.

“It’s a great source of inspiration, perseverance, but also [demonstrates] that a small, tiny island like Curaçao — with only 155,000 people — can have big dreams and that those big dreams can manifest, as the island is standing behind the dream,” he said.

“So it will be a big source of inspiration. The youth, the young ones who are growing up, they don’t have to look up anymore to Neymar or to Messi — they have their own heroes now on the field, the Bacunas and many other players.”

– Daniel Blake