Curacao goalkeeper Pieter dies aged 31

NEW YORK — The Curacao team played a CONCACAF Nations League match against Haiti with heavy hearts on Tuesday following the sudden death of their goalkeeper, Jarzinho Pieter.

Pieter, 31, died at the Curacao team hotel in Port-au-Prince on Monday, CONCACAF announced in a statement.

Multiple media outlets reported the cause of death was an apparent heart attack.

Pieter made a dozen appearances for the small Caribbean island nation from 2013 through this year.

Teammate Leandro Bacuna took to Instagram to pay tribute to Pieter.

"A guy with a beautiful heart ... U will always be my brother from another mother and i will remember your name your soul for the rest of my life," wrote the midfielder-defender who plays club soccer for Cardiff City in the English Championship.

"I lost a very good friend and im asking myself why, why my friend?"

Curacao drew the match with Haiti 1-1. — Reuters