At 0-0 against Ecuador
©IMAGO
A few days after Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha became a hero in the 0-0 draw against Spain, the next underdog keeper came up trumps. In the 0-0 Curaçao draw against Ecuador, Eloy Room was named player of the day. The 37-year-old goalkeeper, who plays in the American second division for Miami FC, set a new World Cup record.
With 15 saves, Room ensured that the island nation surprisingly celebrated its first point at a World Cup. Never has a goalkeeper saved more balls in regular time at a World Cup. The overall World Cup record is held by former US goalkeeper Tim Howard, who saved 16 balls at the 2014 World Cup in a 2-1 defeat after extra time. “I think he was sitting on the couch at home sweating watching my parades,” Room said, smiling, looking at Howard.
Attacks from Ecuador’s offensive team led by veteran Enner Valencia continued to roll towards Room’s box. He made his first save against the attacker in the third minute. “The first ball saved gave me and the team confidence. For me as a goalkeeper it was almost the perfect game. I think I deserve a statue in Curaçao now,” joked the Nijmegen-born goalkeeper. Room decided eleven years ago to play for Curaçao instead of the Netherlands. “Many people said I was crazy back then, but here I am,” said the 72-time national player. Room spent most of his career in the Netherlands; he reached his highest market value at Vitesse Arnheim in 2016 with 4.5 million euros.
After the 0-0 draw against Ecuador in front of the Dutch royal couple Willem-Alexander and Máxima, Curaçao celebrated its first point ever at a World Cup. As King of the Netherlands, Willem-Alexander is also head of state of all countries in the kingdom – and Curaçao is one of them. 25 of the 26 players in the squad were born in the Netherlands, including Room.
The celebrations knew no bounds after the final whistle. “We danced in the dressing room, it was just wonderful,” said Room, and even veteran coach Advocaat, the oldest coach at the World Cup at 78, was touched. “To see how they fit into our cabin was incredible. They were smiling and dancing. Nothing was too much for them. It was just wonderful to see.” If they win the final group game against Ivory Coast, the island state will even reach the knockout stages.
