Wednesday, January 24, 2007

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Cuba clinched third place in the 2006/7 Digicel Caribbean Cup and US$50,000 prize money after a 2-1 win over Guadeloupe that was more convincing than the scoreline suggests.

With both teams making a number of changes after their semi-final defeats, the game started slowly, both sides seemingly taking time to settle. As the half wore on, Cuba increasingly took control of the game, but despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession, the men from Havana created few scoring opportunities until a moment of individual genius broke the deadlock.

Alain Cervantes collected the ball on the edge of the penalty area and took one touch before firing an unstoppable shot into the top left hand corner of Mercury’s goal. Despite Ayala and Duarte going close to adding a second, both denied by the impressive Mercury, Cuba went into the break with only one goal to show for their territorial dominance.

Raul Gonzalez Triana’s side didn’t have long to wait to extend their advantage after the break. Geosvanys Ayala was the creator, skipping down the right wing and firing in a shot that Mercury could only parry. Alain Cervantes was first to the loose ball, squeezing home his second from a narrow angle.

But Cuba’s two goal lead was short-lived with another superb piece of individual play bringing the rapidly swelling crowd to its feet. Guadeloupe substitute Fabian Raddas had only been on the pitch 2 minutes when he bent a Beckhamesque free-kick over the wall from 25 yards to reduce the arrears.

But Raddas’ wonder strike was to be the only high point in the half for Roger Salnot’s men, with the remainder of the game following the pattern of the first 45 minutes; plenty of Cuban possession but few clear-cut chances.

Despite today’s 2-1 defeat, Guadeloupe can be pleased with their tournament’s work, taking home US$30,000 in prize money and can look forward to competing in the CONCACAF Gold Cup for the very first time in the USA this coming June. Cuba will also represent the Caribbean in the Gold Cup in June in what will be their 5th appearance in the tournament.

Guadeloupe: Fabrice Mercury, Kevin Delannay, Onesta Marving, Mickael Laurent (Fabien Raddas 51), Constant Theresine (Dominique Mocka 56), Alain Vertot, Bematol Xavier, Gerald Gavarin, Jean-Luc Lamourde (Steve Bizacene 20), Jocelyn Angloma, Cedrick Vanoukia

Cuba: Dany Quintero, Silvio Minoso, Jenier Molina, Jose Clavelo, Ariel Martinez (Enrique Villaurrutia 86), Alain Cervantes, Geosvanys Ayala (Gisbel Morales 75) Jaine Colome, Reysander Fernandez, Pedro Faife, Leonel Duarte (Yordannis Alvarez 81)

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