"Curacao salvaged a 0-0 draw with Jamaica on Tuesday to become the smallest nation by population to qualify for a World Cup and will be joined by CONCACAF sides Panama and Haiti which also booked their spots. Curacao finished as the only undefeated nation in the tournament and finished atop of Group B with 12 points to advance to the World Cup for the first time in its history."
"Curacao got the historic result it needed despite not having coach Dick Advocaat on the bench. The 78-year-old Advocaat missed the crucial match because he had to return to the Netherlands last weekend for family reasons. Advocaat was at the helm of the Netherlands national team for three stints and managed South Korea, Belgium and Russia before taking the job with Curacao."
"Panama advanced to its second World Cup after defeating El Salvador 3-0 on first-half goals from Cesar Blackman (17) and Erick Davis (45). Jose Luis Rodriguez (85) added a goal for the Panamanians, who have Russia 2018 as their only World Cup appearance. Panama finished as the best team in Group A with 12 points while Suriname, which came into the last round leading the way on goal difference, lost 3-1 against Guatemala and finished in second place with nine points."
Curacao secured a 0-0 draw with Jamaica to become the smallest nation by population — 156,115 — to qualify for a World Cup. Curacao finished unbeaten and topped Group B with 12 points to advance to the World Cup for the first time. Coach Dick Advocaat missed the decisive match to return to the Netherlands for family reasons; Advocaat previously led the Netherlands national team in three stints and managed South Korea, Belgium and Russia. Panama advanced to its second World Cup after a 3-0 win over El Salvador, finishing top of Group A with 12 points. Haiti won Group C with 11 points after a 2-1 victory over Nicaragua, with goals from Loicious Deedson and Ruben Providence, marking Haiti's second World Cup qualification since 1974.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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