The last dream of a 79-year-old veteran, the miracle of the World Cup written by an island nation with a population of 150,000. > News

Through this World Cup, coach Dick Advocaat achieved the milestone of being the oldest coach ever to play in the World Cup finals at the age of 79. He left a deep impression on us as he led the Korean national team during the 2006 World Cup in Germany, and the fact that he is still on the field after nearly 20 years is in itself a source of deep awe to soccer players. He is leading Curaçao in this competition and is pouring all of his know-how from over 45 years of leadership experience. It is not simply a move for money or fame, but a pure love for the sport of soccer itself, which is the driving force that makes him never stop. Advocaat has established himself as a living legend in modern soccer history, to the point where younger generation coaches like Nagelsmann look to him to gauge their future.

Looking at the side of the team called Curaçao, an interesting background is revealed as to how they were able to stand on the world's greatest stage, the World Cup. By taking advantage of the special geographical environment of the Netherlands, they recruited a large number of players active on the European stage, and through this, their power increased dramatically. In fact, Coach Advocaat has shown his ability to lead the team to the finals by setting a remarkable record of being undefeated in 10 games since taking office. Although there were personal reasons that forced him to temporarily put down the baton to take care of his family, the organizational skills and tactical foundation he laid provide enough reason for Curaçao to be called a ‘dark horse’ beyond a simple ‘participating country’. The players' close bond is so strong that even coach Advocaat praises it as something he has never experienced before.

Group E of this World Cup is nothing short of a group of death, with Germany, a huge contender for the title, as well as formidable powers such as Ivory Coast and Ecuador. In this situation, Coach Advocaat relieved the players' burden by saying, “We have nothing to lose,” while also expressing his strong will not to back down even against a strong team like Germany. He predicted that Curaçao would be an “annoying team” that would be difficult to deal with, and expressed his determination to give everything to pull off an upset. His confidence that he is not simply absorbed in defensive soccer and is preparing a strategy that will surprise the world is a testament to the veteran's skill in overcoming objective military inferiority with mental strength and tactical flexibility.

The World Cup is full of colorful events from the beginning of the tournament. From the England team's equipment theft, Scotland's first win in 36 years, and Brazil's tight draw with Morocco, this World Cup is constantly generating stories both on and off the field. In particular, one of the biggest achievements of this tournament is seeing emerging countries like Cape Verde, along with Curaçao, debut on the world stage and broadening the horizons of soccer. In this trend, the match that Coach Advocaat's Curaçao will show symbolizes the unexpectedness and romance of soccer. It is an undeniable fact that the world of competition is ruthless, but the fighting spirit of veterans and the challenges of weak countries that bloom even in that ruthlessness will provide fans with an unforgettable narrative.