ABOVE) Luidjino Hojer (#20) was named to Curacao's initial roster for World Cup Qualifying matches against El Salvador in September 2015.
WILLEMSTAD, Curacao – Curacao head coach Patrick Kluivert announced Tuesday a 23-man roster for next month’s World Cup Qualifying, third-round series against El Salvador.
The squad is highlighted by 25-year-old defender Rhuendly Martina, who became the first Curacao international to play for Southampton, starting in a 2-0 win over Vitesse in the UEFA Europa League on August 6. On Sunday, he made his English Premier League debut as a substitute in a 2-2 draw at Newcastle United.
Also earning selection is midfielder Vidarrell Merencia, the team’s leading scorer in 2018 World Cup Qualifying with two goals. The 21-year-old also netted twice in last year’s Caribbean Cup.
Curacao advanced in World Cup Qualifying by getting past Montserrat in the first round (agg: 4-3) and Cuba in the second round (agg: 1-1, advanced on away-goals rule). It will host El Salvador in the first leg on September 4 at the Stadion Ergilio Hato, while the return leg will be played at the Estadio Cuscatlan in San Salvador four days later.
CURACAO ROSTER
(World Cup Qualifying, 3rd Round: September 4, 2015, home v El Salvador; September 8, 2015, away v El Salvador)
Kemy Agustien, Roly Bonevacia, Shanon Carmelia, Jeremy de Nooijer, Zeus de la Paz, Guyon Fernandez, Elson Hooi, Luidjino Hojer, Gino van Kessel, Darryl Lachman, Gianlucca Maria, Michaël Maria, Rhuendly Martina, Quentin Martinus, Shelton Martis, Vidarell Merencia, Rihairo Meulens, Dustly Mulder, Gevaro Nepomuceno, Eloy Room, Rowendy Sumter, Charlton Vicento, Jason Wall
