retired_lela2424

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Dream Draw For Cuba

The entire footballing Cuban nation must be pleased at the draw handed to the blue&whites by Lady Luck. Group One it shall be, then, alongside Dominica, Surinam and Mexico. Definitely a group which leaves ample space for dreaming the Thrid Phase. Right after the draw, Mamo said, ”I cannot complain at all at the draw. It could have been much worse, with Jamaica down the line for example, apart from Mexico. So I’m not complaining at all. If I had it my way, there’d be the Costa Ricans instead of Mexico, but hey, we’re not living in an ideal world, so we’ll roll with it. I predict a second spot finish, without any real problems. The first two matches will decide though. They are tricky matches, but not impossible. I’d like to preach caution though. Surinam, after all, did beat the more quoted El Salvador to the Semis.”
But with such a positive Mamo, it’s hard to keep the fans from daydreaming. Cuba are once again on the CONCACAF map it seems. Maybe soon Cuba will be on the World Map. For the first time.
The groups in full, as drawn, are:
GRP1: Mexico, Cuba, Dominica, Surinam
GRP2: USA, Jamaica, Panama, US Virgin Islands
GRP3: Costa Rica, Canada, Guatemala, Trinidad & Tobago
It looks like there is little space for mistakes in all groups though, especially in the last group, where all of Canada, Trinidad & Tobago and Guatemala will be battling out for one slot. Unless Costa Rica experience a very big collapse of their game…

Damian Currás
Havana Sports Weekly
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retired_lela2424

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Misfortune The Main Protagonist As Mamo Chooses Squad

An injury-plagued Cuba will start off its semifinals with matches away to Surinam and at home against Dominica. About the fixtures, Mamo said, “We’ll be having Mexico at the very end, so the first two games will give us a pretty clear picture of what we’re going to be facing. I only hope that we do well enough to avoid any need-to-win situations against the Mexicans.”
In reality, Mamo was much more worried about the current form of some of his players. Star striker Jaume Castedo was released by his club CSKA Moscow and appeared less than motivated for the couple of matches ahead. Injuries have played their part too, with the likes of Luis Martinez, Alain Ceravntes, Pepe Inigo, Felix Campagnar, Rene Estrada and Alberto Delgado all missing out.
To add insult to injury, a prominent ex-International was quoted as saying, “I Doubt Mamo has any real chances of living his dream. Surinam are well-organised and they could well be the ones to be making it through. I see disaster. I only want that Cubs avoids hefty defeats.” Mamo, in style, suggested that if that were the case, the definitely wasn’t because the ex-player wasn’t still around to make it better.

The full squad consists of:
Goalkeepers: Fabian Preito (CSKA Moscow), Oldelin Molina (Villa Clara), Alexis Reves (Villa Clara)
Defenders: Silvio Pedro (Villa Clara), Carlos Thiano (Brondby), Gil Natalio (Lokomotiv Moscow), Gregorio Sanchis (Villareal), Carlos Madrigal (Sancti Spiritus), Rodrigo Costa (1860 Munich), Bernardo Rosette (Ciudad Habana), Agustin (unattached)
Midfielders: Pedro Ibon (Valencia), Eugenio Aragon (Ciego de Avila), Julio (Ciodad Habana), Christian Draco (unattached), Alien Perez (Ciego de Avila), Hansel Zayas (Ciego de Avila), Isidro (unattached)
Forwards: Maikel Galindo (Villa Clara), Ivan Graziani (Cuoiocappiano), Jaume Castedo (unattached), Gisbel Morales (Pinar del Rio)

Damian Currás
Havana Sports Weekly
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retired_lela2424

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Surinam vs Cuba
Second Phase, Matchday 1
Andre Kamperveen Stadion (Paramaribo)

In a tightly, contested match which could have gone either way, the fairest result was reflected by ninety minutes, as Cuba left the South American mainland with a precious point.
It was Cuba who opened the score after a mere 40 seconds, through a perfectly placed ball by Italy-based Graziani, who took up a great Castedo through pass to put it behind Coort’s back. With confidence running high, Cuba pressed forward, with shots on goal coming from all directions, namely from Zayes and Isidro, who greatly disappointed, apart from the fact that he found the ball at his feet a number of times, one might say always because he was playing out of his pre-assigned position. The first half could have seen Cuba increase Surinam’s deficit, but for a number of reasons, not least Coor’s brilliant performance, that did not happen.
In what one may call ‘a game of two halves’, Surinam came out and on their behalf completely dominated the latter portion of the game. Dayes, from the back line, dictated the rhythm of play and sent a greal deal of balls directly into the Cubans’ third of the pitch, setting up the goal which would see the result rest on the definitive 1-1, courtesy of Egberts. With nothing much more to highlight on Surinam’s side, Cuba did have one last big occasion, during injury time, which could have seen Gisbel Morales, who replaced the demotivated Jaume Castedo snatch a further two points for Cuba. But that didn’t happen, and at the end of the day it was a good point earned in Paramaribo.

Surinam: Coort – Panhuis, Boogers, Pruiksma (sub. Makhout), Danes – Göbel (sub. Boschker), Frijters, van den Boogaart (sub. Koopman), de Geus – Egbers, Wille
Cuba: Prieto (MoM) – Agustin, Pedro, Natalio, Rosette – Aragon – Zayas, Isidro (sub. Julio), Perez (sub. Ibon) – Castedo (sub. Morales), Graziani

Javi Castro
Ciego de Avila Gazette
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retired_lela2424

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> CONCACAF WC2010 Qulaifiers: Second Phase, Matchday 1 Results

The results for the latest CONCACAF round of games have reserved surprising wins as well as solid reaffirmations for the countries still in the running. Here are the results:

GROUP 1
Dominica 0 – 3 Mexico
Surinam 1 – 1 Cuba
[Mex 3pts; CUB, SUR 1pt; DMA 0pts]

GROUP 2
Jamaica 2 – 1 United States
US Virgin Islands 2 – 2 Panama
[JAM 3pts; VIR, PAN 1 pt; USA 0pts]

GROUP 3
Costa Rica 2 – 4 Trinidad & Tobago
Guatemala 0 – 3 Canada
[CAN, TRI 3pts; GUA, CRC 0pts]

www.FIFA.com
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retired_bbcarr

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>On FMS, a 7-day rule is in operation. This means users cannot start a new story within seven days of starting their previous one. Failure to comply with this rule will lead to closure of your threads. This was designed to stop flooding the forum with unfinished stories. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

i'll re-open this on tuesday 4th january when the seven days since you started "Survivor" will have passed.

retired_lela2424

Welcome Back, Skiddaw! Great start to the story, will be reading with interest...

ALRIGHT, FAKE! :p

Just to officially thank Simon_F :thup:

Story to continue, though

retired_lela2424

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Minor Cosmetic Changes for Cuba

For the match against Dominica, Cuba Manager Mamo has changed a few players, some due to injury, others for technical reasons. However, Mamo has surprisingly left out Colorado attacking midfielder Delgado out for the second match in a row. Whether it is a subtle way of making the player realize his performances for his club haven’t been too good of late still has to be seen.
The Cuba squad will therefore consist of 24 players, the highest number ever called up by Mamo for an official match. The names are:

Goalkeepers: Fabian Prieto (CSKA Moscow), Alexis Reves (Villa Clara), Odelin Molina (Villa Clara)
Defenders: Silvio Pedro (Villa Clara), Pepito Vasco (Vac), Carlos Thiano (Brondby), Gil Natalio (Lokomotiv Moscow), Gregorio Sanchis (Villareal), Rodrigo Costa (1860 Munich), Bernardo Rosette (Ciudad Habana), Augustin (unattached), Pepe Inigo (Bregenz)
Midfielders: Pedro Ibon (Valencia), Eugenio Aragon (Ciego de Avila), Christian Draco (unattached), Julio (Ciudad Habana), Rey Martinez (Colorado), Alien Perez (Ciego de Avila), Hansel Zayas (Provincia Habana)
Forwards: Jaume Castedo (unattached), Alain Cervantes (Ciego de Avila), Maikel Galindo (Villa Clara), Gisbel Morales (Piñar del Rio)

With matchday fast approaching, Mamo will be looking to instruct his team on how to improve upon the previous ninety minutes. Dominica should be easily beaten, but Mamo’s caution should be an example to all at the Cuba training camp.

Damian Currás
Havana Sports Weekly
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retired_lela2424

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Cuba vs Dominica
Second Phase, Matchday 2
Juan Abrantes (Havana)

In a fine day for playing football, Cuba grabbed their first win in the Second Phase thanks to a convincing win against Dominica. One feels that it was all down to the better use of the ball displayed by the Cubans, although Dominica did have their chances which were shamefully wasted.
Cuba strted off on an attacking note, with wonderful combinations between Rey Martinez and the still unemployed Jaume Castedo. However, it was Cervantes who opened the score, served by a brilliant Draco, at his debut. Cervantes doubled the score on the brink of half time to send Cuba in the dressing room firmly in control.
In the second half, Dominica stunned Cuba after only seconds, with Rose who slotted the ball in the back of the net. It was Castedo who immediately restored the two-goal distance, however, before an excellent move by substitute Zayas was aptly finished by Alien Perez, who has been linked to a move in the United States in the past weeks. The score did not change any more, and a 4-1 win is sure to delight all Cuba fans and players.

Cuba: Prieto – Inigo, Vasco, Natalio, Sanchis (sub. Rosette) – Ibon – Perez, Draco (sub. Zayas), Martinez (MoM) – Castedo (sub. Galindo), Cervantes
Dominica: Hayter – Nixon, King, Locke (sub. Samuel) – Tucker, Matthews (sub. Thompson), Holsgrove, Roberts (sub. Talbot), Russel – Jones, Rose

Javi Castro
Ciego de Avila Gazette
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retired_lela2424

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Matchday 2: A Big Disappointment for United States

Matchday 2 will surely a day to be remembered by Panama, who managed to steal a point from USA, who now find themselves with one mere point after two games. Jamaica nd Mexico did well, winning their games. In Group 3, everything is ever so balanced, with just Trinidad & Tobago being able to run away with the second consecutive victory. Full results follow:

GROUP 1
Cuba 4 – 1 Dominica
Mexico 4 – 1 Surinam
[MEX 6pts; CUB 4pts; SUR 1pt; DMA 0pts]

GROUP 2
Jamaica 2 – 0 US Virgin Islands
United States 0 – 0 Panama
[JAM 6pts; PAN 2pts; VIR, USA 1pt]

GROUP 3
Costa Rica 3 – 1 Guatemala
Trinidad & Tobago 2 – 1 Canada
[TRI 6pts; CRC, CAN 3pts; GUA 0pts]

www.FIFA.com
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

retired_lela2424

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Mexico vs Cuba
Second Phase, Matchday 3
Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)

Nobody was expecting a win for Cuba in Mexico, but Cuba surely should have done better than sit back, relaxed, trying to defend the undefendable. The best for of defence, I often hear said, is attack. But there was no attack for Cuba last night. The only time Cuba went close to goal was on 90 minutes, after a fluked shot by Ibon.
The first half told pretty much the tale of the entire match, with Mexico having the absolute liberty of placing the ball where they wanted. Santana, twice Rubirosa and twice again Oribe Peralta had already set the score on five-nil by the half time whistle. No appeal to the sentence, Mexico really were many notches above Cuba.
The second half was slightly better for Cuba, who managed not to concede any moer goals, but which nevertheless was played almost entirely in the Cuban half. The best Cuban player on the day was undoubtedly defender Natalio, but this does not mean he has to be happy with his performance. He’d be lucky to get a ‘7’ rating. A ‘6’ would be more apt. The sending off of Silvio Pedro twenty minutes before the 90th was not a help either, but it was all wrapped up by then.
At least, Surinam did not win. But Dominica did.

Mexico: Ochoa – Castro, Lozano (inj., sub. G. Galindo), Marquez, Davino – Fonseca, Rubirosa (MoM) (sub. A. Galindo), Toledo, Santana (sub. Morales) – Rodriguez, Peralta
Cuba: Prieto – Inigo, Pedro (sent off), Natalio, Sanchis (sub. Thiano) – Ibon – Perez, Draco (sub. Zayas), Martinez (MoM) – Castedo (sub. Graziani), Cervantes

Javi Castro
Ciego de Avila Gazette
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