Curaçao's Hero: “I just closed my eyes and thought about everything we’ve been through”

Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room, who impressed with a record 15 saves against Ecuador in a 0-0 draw, shared his satisfaction after the match. This result earned the World Cup debutants their first-ever point in the tournament. The 37-year-old custodian recounted his experiences with Curaçao's decade-long project to recruit players of Curaçaoan descent from around the world to join the national team. Room himself first stood between the posts for the team 11 years ago.

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“I just closed my eyes and thought about everything we’ve been through,” a delighted Room began after the miraculous draw against the Ecuadorians. “So much has happened over these years… The reason I chose to play for Curaçao is that, even as a child, I dreamed of participating in a World Cup with Curaçao. When Patrick Kluivert contacted me to play for the national team, I felt incredibly flattered because he is a huge legend. I was surprised and very proud. It was something special for me and my family. I was one of the first professional footballers to choose to represent Curaçao.”

“Kluivert told me that if he could attract a player like me to the project, it would encourage many other footballers to join. Many players only joined the Curaçao team in the last two qualification stages or in the last four matches, so they didn't experience the beginning of this journey. Sometimes I try to explain to them what was happening in those early years and how everything gradually improved.”

“Today, everything is organized. I always believed we would reach the World Cup. And we have always loved representing the national team. So, in that moment after the match, everything that happened over the last 10 years flashed before my eyes in slow motion,” the goalkeeper concluded.