With their Football Association formed in 1921, the Netherlands Antilles have an unexpectedly long and consistent history in CONCACAF football, reaching back to a moment of sustained success in the 1970s and early 80s.

Much was expected of the side in the run-up to qualifying for South Africa 2010. Reaching out to a clutch of professional players in the Netherlands with Antillean roots, the side looked to have their best chance at a sustained qualifying run for the first time in their history. But after beating Nicaragua 3-0 on aggregate in the first round, the islanders ran into a tricky test in the form of reigning Caribbean champions Haiti.

After a creditable 0-0 draw on the road in Port-au-Prince, an unfortunate Eugene Martha own goal in the second leg in Willemstad saw the Antilleans crash out by an agonizingly slim 1-0 aggregate scoreline. Despite the early exit, the side look well set to rise up through the Caribbean ranks in the years to come.