El Salvador’s fullback Julio Sibrian tries to keep Curacao’s fullback Jurien Gaari from playing the ball during the team’s 0-0 draw at PayPal Park on Tuesday JUN 17, 2025. (El Salvador)
by Marko Ukalovic
SAN JOSE — Curacao tried to play spoiler in front of a crowd of 13,042 that was pro-El Salvador. Both teams played to a 0-0 draw to open group play of the Gold Cup on Tuesday evening at PayPal Park.
Each team earned a point with the draw as they fight for the top of Group B along with Canada and Honduras.
The first half featured a Curacao team focused on protecting their backline. Whenever El Salvador created scoring chances inside the final third of the pitch, the tiny island nation was quick to expel the ball out of their zone.
In the 13th minute, El Salvador goalkeeper Mario González made two quick saves on back-to-back shots by Curacao. Leandro Bacuna had the most dangerous chance from close range.
Brayan Landaverde received a long ball inside the box in the 36th minute for a small breakaway chance but the ball was knocked away by Curacao defender Roshon van Eijma into the outstretched hands of their goalie Eloy Room.
Curacao striker Gervane Kastaneer tried to break the deadlock in the 56th minute when he got free for a right footed shot from the right side of the box, but González challenged Kastaneer and deflected the ball out of danger.
Livano Comenencia of Curacao had the best two scoring chances for either side in the second half at the 75th and 82nd minute but both of his right footed shots sailed right of the net. El Salvador didn’t generate any dangerous chances in the final 15 minutes.
Room finished with two saves to earn his first clean sheet while González made three saves to earn his first of the tournament.
GAME NOTES: Curacao finished with four corner kicks. El Salvador had three.
UP NEXT: Both countries are back in action on Saturday June 21st at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas. Curacao takes on Canada at 4:00pm while El Salvador squares off against Honduras at 7:00pm.
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