There is much to improve

This Sunday, June 11th, at 7:00 pm, Cuban time, the Cuban national soccer team faced Chile in a friendly match, as part of the preparation for the Gold Cup, scheduled to be held this summer in the United States.

The performance of the Cuban team lacked in all senses of soccer resources. The total score was 0-3 in favor of the Chileans, who although they did not present their main cards, are an international level team, with participations in World Cups and two times champions of Copa America, no less than against Lionel Messi’s Argentina.

Marcelino Núñez opened the account in the twelfth minute of the match on a play from a corner. Then, in the 27th minute, Rodrigo Echevarría put home a cross from a free kick and, finally, in the 69th minute, Marcelino Núñez scored his brace in a team play with several touches and a wall inside the opponent’s area.

What do all three goals have in common? The West Indian defense’s innocence and lack of intensity when attacking the ball.

The Lions of the Caribbean came out with three at the back, something that is not usual and they looked lost on the field; Chile’s superiority was well known, the Cuban fans could not expect a Cuban victory, but Cuba never found themselves. They did not understand each other nor did they connect in the opposing field, besides having very little presence in that area of the field and they committed childish tackles, one even for possible expulsion.

The important thing about the match for Cuba is to have faced a historic team like Chile and to have seen a higher level of soccer, as will happen against Uruguay on June 20 at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo.

Despite the opponent’s level, we cannot be complacent, there is a lot to improve if we want to go to the Gold Cup and leave a good impression.

Written by Alejandro López Quintero.