Curaçao claim first World Cup point as Iran criticises lack of support

Curaçao earned their first World Cup point by holding Ecuador to a 0-0 draw in Kansas City, with goalkeeper Eloy Room making a remarkable 15 saves. “I think I need a statue in Curaçao now,” he said, adding he was “a little bit annoyed that I don’t have the record from Tim Howard” and calling the match “almost a perfect game” achieved with his team.

Iran’s head coach, Amir Ghalenoei, expressed disappointment at the lack of support from the other 47 managers after his side arrived in Los Angeles from their Tijuana base soon after midday on Saturday — less than 24 hours before their second Group G game. Iran had requested to arrive two days earlier but were not permitted, and they have voiced frustrations to Fifa’s president, Gianni Infantino, about feeling the “most oppressed” team at the tournament; Belgium, by contrast, arrived on Friday to prepare.

The draw means Curaçao can still (and probably will) progress from Group E if they beat Côte d’Ivoire in their final fixture.

Curaçao, Kansas City

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