Curaçao and Bolivia are set to make history on March 23, 2018, when the countries meet for the first time ever at the Stadion Ergilio Hato in Willemstad, Curaçao. The sides were due to compete last November, but the match was postponed. United forward Bruno Miranda is on national team duty with Bolivia, and will be looking to pick up additional minutes on the international stage on Friday.
The young Bolivian striker signed on loan from Club Universidad de Chile through 2018 with an option for a permanent transfer on August 4, 2017. Miranda is currently on loan with the Richmond Kickers and logged 29 minutes in the Kickers' season opener against Bethlehem, coming on as a sub for Raul Gonzalez. The forward will be looking for his fourth cap with Bolivia on Friday—he made his international debut on May 29, 2016, as an 18-year-old, entering as a second-half substitute against the U.S. His most recent appearance came last June as he logged a full 90 minutes against Nicaragua in an international friendly.
Bolivia Outlook
Bolivia failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup after finishing ninth in their qualification group. The Bolivians finished with a 4-12-2 record and a -22 goal differential. Despite their disappointing qualification campaign, they have showed signs of improvement in their previous five games—they've earned a 2-2-1 record including an impressive clean sheet win over Chile, who is currently ranked 10th in the world according to FIFA.
Curaçao Outlook
Curaçao competed in their fourth CFU Caribbean Cup in the summer of 2017. They faced Martinique in the semifinals and went on to win after a Rangelo Janga finish in the 76th minute sealed the 2-1 victory and a place in the finals. The nation went on to win their first Caribbean Cup after Elson Hooi bagged a brace against Jamaica in the finals.
The Curaçaoans also made their fifth appearance in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2017. The country failed to win a game in the group stage losing to the likes of Jamaica, El Salvador, and Mexico, all by way of 2-0 defeats, but will be looking for positive momentum and a strong showing against Bolivia in a friendly setting on Friday.
