Why the Dutch King and Queen celebrated Curaçao’s draw in the dressing room | OneFootball

Curaçao earned a heroic 0-0 draw against Ecuador on Saturday, as goalkeeper Eloy Room made 15 saves. The Dutch King and Queen then visited the dressing room to congratulate the Caribbean side.

According to L'Équipe, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima watched from the stands in Kansas City, then went inside to salute the team. The visit came on a day when the Netherlands beat Sweden 5-1 in Houston, roughly 1,134 kilometres to the south, a few hours earlier. Their younger daughter Ariane was also present.

Curaçao is administered by the Netherlands but is an autonomous country with its own government. The close ties help explain the royal interest.

That connection is reflected on the pitch, with 25 of 26 players in Dick Advocaat’s squad born in the Netherlands.

Advocaat said he felt his side played the match the right way and that they fought like lions. The king congratulated the entire squad, singling out Room. The draw delivered Curaçao’s first World Cup point.

Source: L'Équipe