Cuba announces soccer friendly against Nicaragua

Havana, February 28.- The Cuban Soccer Association (AFC) confirmed a friendly match between the Cuban and Nicaraguan national teams on March 26.

"We have worked to carry out the match, but more than that we are interested in ensuring that the teams have several days to train together under the orders of the technical director, so that they can take advantage of the FIFA date week," said Miguel Ángel Díaz, secretary of the AFC.

“In that sense, we obtained the necessary assurances after negotiations with the federation of that country, which kindly collaborated to make this happen and we will be able to mesh and couple the team that has not met since November,” added Díaz, who announced that work is being done on the realization of matches against local league clubs.

He also acknowledged that the objective is to reincorporate players who once played in the senior team into the process guided by Yunielys Castillo.

On the other hand, the Nicaraguan championship has been very useful to insert Cuban players, who have performed well in the clubs for which they play and the growth in their number in that tournament is exploited.

The most recent additions are Alejandro Delgado, who showed a tremendous level in the 2023 Concacaf Nations League, and goalkeeper Ismel Morgado, also an absolute team member and who are within the call made by the national coach for the date.

Others who return with the Caribbean Lions, and who also play in the Pinolero championship, are the forward Maykel Reyes, and the defenders Darío Ramos and José Armelo, who enjoy minutes and show a good level.

Goalkeepers Raiko Arozarena and Nelson Johnston complete the list along with defenders Karel Pérez, Carlos Vázquez, Dariel Morejón, Orlando Calvo, Yunior Yuri Pérez, Leandro Mena and Fabián Gloor.

In that area, the absence of Yosel Piedra, injured, stands out, along with those of Jorge Luis Corrales and Modesto Méndez.

Regarding the latter, the technical director explained that it is a decision made as a result of conduct that he considers violates the discipline of the group, after the call for the friendly match against Russia, to which it was decided to bring young players due to the strategies of the management team. .

Players who are beginning to be vital for the Sancti Spiritus coach were also called up on this occasion, these are Romario Torres and Eduardo Hernández, in the midfield; who will be accompanied by Karel Espino, fully recovered; Marcos Campos Surén; William Pozo and Onel Hernández.

Up front, in addition to Reyes, there are Reydel Sánchez, Daniel Díaz and Yansier Matos, who meet again after excellent performances in the last Nations League.

Captain Luis Javier Paradela will not be able to attend on this occasion due to personal situations that prevent him from appearing this time, which is understood by the coaching staff, and Cristian Flores and Dairon Reyes are still recovering from their injuries.

“We will try to take advantage of the stay in Nicaragua to carry out a microcycle of preparation, doing integrated work on our game model,” Castillo told JIT.

“In addition, we will consolidate defensive and offensive principles through games with tasks between us,” he concluded. (Text and photo: JIT)