World Cup newcomers justify expanded format

by sportswriters Cao Jianjie and Zhao Yan MIAMI, United States, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Dick Advocaat wept as Curacao's anthem echoed around Houston Stadium before the island team's first World Cup match. The veteran Dutch coach later spoke of the "joy of the people" on the island of around 150,000 at seeing their team make history. Barely 24 hours later in Atlanta, Cabo Verde's players and supporters were singing and dancing after holding European champion Spain to a goalless draw. Five days into t