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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Matchday 3: United States in Crisis

The USA are in deep crisis after their latest poor game, capped by a poor result, in the Semis of the CONCACAF Qualifiers. This time round, the unlikeliest of nations stopped the Stars & Stripes, in the form of the US Virgin Islands. Manager Bruce Arena really has to improve very soon now, if he is to make it to the Final Round. Full results follow:

GROUP 1
Mexico 5 – 0 Cuba
Dominica 3 – 2 Surinam
[MEX 9pts; CUB 4pts; DMA 3pts; SUR 1pt]

GROUP 2
Panama 0 – 2 Jamaica
US Virgin Islands 2 – 2 United States
[JAM 9pts; VIR, USA, PAN 2pts]

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

www.FIFA.com
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> “Good Evening, Havana, and welcome to yet another edition of Cubagoal. This week, Manager Chris Mamo has returned to visit us. Welcome back Mr. Mamo.”

Q: So, Chris. Perhaps we should call our program Mexicogoal for today, what do you think?
A: Yeah, maybe we should. After all, they are really kicking everybody’s asses. They’re a really solid team and I wouldn’t mind them doing very very well in the WC Finals. I think they can start thinking about the Finals draw already.

Q: That superior? And Cuba, where do we stand right now?
A: I saw FIFA’s ranking just before coming here – you know, I wanted to be prepared and all – and I found that we have actually jumped to the 122nd place. We’re improving, and next up ahead of us, it’s Panama. I reckon we can skip them in the rankings quite soon. Given we keep our act together. As for the football. Well, I’ve seen a spirited side which could do well enough to exceed expectations. Not exaggeratedly, but the potential is there.

Q: Too many uncontracted guys, though.
A: Yes, definitely. Two players above all. Needless to say, one is ex-CSKA Moscow striker Jaume Castedo. I’d see him do well in one of the Medium-sized clubs. Brescia in Italy or Aberdeen in Scotland maybe. But it’s their decision. The other guy is Christian Draco, who played exceedingly well against Dominica. He’d figure in a lot of clubs, maybe in the States or in one of the less demanding leagues maybe, for starters.

Q: A small word of advice for Bruce Arena?
A: Oh, man! I’m not the one to be teaching Arena any football. Well, maybe a little bit, but only because he’s a yank! USA have some very good players, I’m sure they’ll be getting the plane to South Africa come the moment of truth. The Virginians are just riding on a high, and Panama are a little short of depth, so I doubt they’ll be causing any upsets. It all depends on the States players, though, obviously.

Q: For what you’re seeing, then, it’s USA and who else?
A: I’d like to say Cuba, but I think that Mexico are in pole position. Then it’ll be a battle between Jamaica and Canada and maybe Trinidad & Tobago. I see Jamaica as the best of the three though.

Q: In less than a month there’s going to be Surinam at the Juan Abrantes.
A: Yes. A win there and we’re virtually through. Then Dominica away to make sure of it mathematically, and hopefully we can play against Mexico knowing we’re through already. The fixtures have been to our advantage.
Q: I’m afraid that’s it for today, from me, DJ Ozmo, and Manager Mamo, goodnight. We’ll be meeting again next week, cheering on Cuba as usual. Keep the faith.
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> All Prepared for Surinam and Dominica Matches

Mamo has called his squad for the all-important match against Surinam, and a few days later, against Dominica. With a well-balanced squad, Mamo looks confident of obtaining all six points from these matches, which would all but ensure Cuba’s participation in the Final Round, known as the Third Phase, of the CONCACAF Qualifying Section. The only question mark lies over Mamo’s decision to call just two goalkeepers, making way for an extra midfielder, the debutant Che Isidoro who has caught the Manager’s eye after a move to Turkey.

Goalkeepers: Fabian Prieto (CSKA Moscow), Odelin Molina (Villa Clara)
Defenders: Pepito Vasco (Vac), Carlos Thiano (Brondby), Gregorio Sanchis (Villarreal), Gil Natalio (Lokomotiv Moscow), Emilio (Ciudad Habana), Pepe Inigo (Bregenz)
Midfielders: Pedro Ibon (Valencia), Eugenio Aragon (Ciego de Avila), Christian Draco (unattached), Che Isidoro (Ankara), Rey Martinez (Coloroado), Alien Perez (Ciego de Avila), Hansel Zayas (Provincia Habana), Alberto Delgado (Coloroado)
Forwards: Ivan Graziani (Cuoiocappiano), Jaume Castedo (unattached), Alain Cervantes (Ciego de Avila), Maikel Galindo (Villa Clara)

Damian Currás
Havana Sports Weekly
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Cuba vs Surinam
Second Phase, Matchday 4
Juan Abrantes (Havana)

Cuba quickly forgot the sound beating suffered at the Azteca by imposing their play over Surinam, a side which should have probably offered far greater resistance, given the good show put up in the first meeting between the two sides.
The sending off of de Geus after a handful of minutes, coupled with the penalty kick which was assigned for the same foul (converted by the unattached Christian Draco), put Cuba immediately on the right track, and Castedo’s double hit before half time virtually decided the winner in the first half.
The one-sidedness of the first fraction of play eased off somewhat in the second half, thanks to a worthy effort put in by Surinam’s central midfielders Frijters and van den Boogaart, but it was still Cuba who had the upper hand, and geometrically-perfect passes ensured Cuba’s fourth and fifth goals, courtesy of Delgado and debutant Isidoro respectively.
At the end, a five-without-reply win for Cuba was more than the islanders actually needed, but once it came home, the goal difference deficit caused by Mexico was cancelled out completely.

Cuba: Prieto – Inigo, Vasco (sub. Emilio), Thiano, Natalio – Aragon (cub. Martinez) – Isidoro, Ibon, Draco – Delgado (sub. Galindo), Castedo (MoM)
Surinam: Coort – Boogers, Panhuis, Pruiksma (sub. Dey), Mommers – Goebel (sub. Koopman), Frijters, van den Boogart, de Geus (sent off) – Wille, Egbers (sub. Hiele)

Javi Castro
Ciego de Avila Gazette
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> USA still without a win, but Cuba and Canada Convince Skeptics

While the United States still were in the toughest of situations, drawing 2-2 against Panama, Cuba and Canada notched important morale-defining wins. Full results follow:

GROUP 1
Cuba 5 – 0 Surinam
Mexico 3 – 1 Dominica
[MEX 12pts; CUB 7pts; DMA 3pts; SUR 1pt]

GROUP 2
Panama 2 – 2 United States
US Virgin Islands 0 – 3 Jamaica
[JAM 12pts; USA, PAN 3pts; VIR 2pts]

GROUP 3
Canada 4 – 1 Trinidad & Tobago
Guatemala 0 – 1 Costa Rica
[CAN 9pts; TRI, CRC 6pts; GUA 3pts]

www.FIFA.com
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Dominica vs Cuba
Second Phase, Matchday 5
Windsor Park (Roseau)

A perfect display, described as ‘one to remember’ by Mamo in his post-match press conference, has seen Cuba earn themselves another three points, but more importantly the pre-targeted place among the last six in CONCACAF Qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup.
To say the truth, Cuba did feel some kind of pressure, despite Castedo (who has been linked to some European sides after the Surinam match) putting them ahead. The match never really gained momentum, and was entirely made of ‘try-harder’ shots which were easily parried by both Prieto and Graham, the latter to win the Man of the Match after all had been said and done.
A poor – yet not boring – first half provided the spark which would see a great match in the making. Attractive attacking football was displayed by both sides, both of whom needed a win, Dominica to keep hoping, and Cuba to confirm qualification, which inevitably left a great deal of spaces to be exploited in midfield. Mamo’s decision to add en extra man in midfield (by relegating Delgado) somewhat unbalanced the side at first, with Gavin Rose grabbing the much coveted equalizer. That meant the Cuba vs Mexico match had to be won by Cuba, at all costs. ‘Try-harders’ turned into desperate attacks on goal, and it was only in the dying minutes of the injury time which saw Prieto, the goalkeeper, direct a pass all through the field down to Jaume Castedo, who ably went past opposing keeper Graham and netted the ball, literally while the referee was blowing the full time whistle.
The bottom line is that Cuba are in the Thrid Phase, and that Castedo really deserves a new club.

Dominica: Graham (MoM) – Mitchell, Price, Roone, Crosby – Muldowney, Braithwhaite, Matthews (sub. White), Martin (sub. Rideout) – Rose, Smith (sub. Spooner)
Cuba: Prieto – Inigo, Vasco (sub. Emilio), Thiano, Natalio – Aragon (cub. Perez) – Martinez, Ibon, Draco (sub. Galindo) – Delgado, Castedo

Javi Castro
Ciego de Avila Gazette
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Mexico and Cuba Close Group 1 Doubts; Jamaica Also Through

Half the teams which will partake in the final qualifying round of the CONCACAF section became known this afternoon, as Matchday 5 was completed. Full results follow:

GROUP 1
Dominica 1 – 2 Cuba
Surinam 0 – 2 Mexico
[MEX 15pts; CUB 10pts; DMA 3pts; SUR 1pt]

GROUP 2
Jamaica 1 – 1 Panama
United States 3 – 1 US Virgin Islands
[JAM 13pts; USA 6pts; PAN 4pts; VIR 2pts]

GROUP 3
Costa Rica 3 – 2 Canada
Trinidad & Tobago 1 – 2 Guatemala
[CAN, CRC 9pts; TRI, GUA 6pts]

www.FIFA.com
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Cuba To Breathe Down Mexico’s Neck

Mamo has picked up the squad to meet Mexico in a little more than two weeks’ time, basing his side largely on previously unused, foreign-based players. The message seems to be that Mamo is trying to breed a generation of players, who will be able to play as a unit later on in time, when the Cuba aspirations will be slightly higher than they are today. Surprisingly, one player did not accept Cuba’s call, saying that Mamo should look elsewhere for backup players, and that he’d only be part of the National Side if he is guaranteed first team football. The player, Aragon, had been an integral part of the squad until that moment, playing in almost all matches since Mamo took charge. When asked about Aragon, Mamo answered briefly, but to the point, “Aragon featured in my plans, but has refused to play for Cuba. I’m willing to close one eye over this, but to earn a callup, [Aragon] must analogize to me as his Manager and to the rest of the boys as his teammates.” One feels that fans will be more likely to back Mamo than Aragon. The full squad features also some of the ‘old boys’, including the now contracted Draco and Castedo.

Goalkeepers: Fabian Prieto (CSKA Moscow), Felix de Consuelo (ADO Den Haag)
Defence: Felix Campagnar (Kärnten), Pepito Vasco (Vác), Diego Ordaz (Monterrey), Carlos Thiano (Brǿndby), Gil Natalio (Lokomotiv Moscow), Pepe Inigo (Bregenz), Jeniel Marquez (Villa Clara)
Midfield: Pedro Ibon (Valencia), Fidel Sanctos (HSV), Christian Draco (Inter), Che Forano (WIT-Georgia), Julio (Ciudad Habana), Rey Martinez (Colorado), Marcos Donde (unattached), Lourenco Abadavilla (Kobenhavn), Raudel Rodriguez (Piñar del Rio)
Forwards: Alberto Delgado (Colorado), Jaume Castedo (Le Mans), Pedro Adriani Faife (Villa Clara), Maikel Galindo (Villa Clara)

Damian Currás
Havana Sports Weekly
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Cuba vs Mexico
Second Phase, Matchday 6
Juan Abrantes (Havana)

An unsurprisingly demotivated Mexico side was yesterday evening duly rounded by a Cuba side which showed a good dose of enthusiasm and will to do better than in recent times.
The Mexicans were the first to try a few shots on goal, through Ramoncito Morales namely, but also through Peralta and Rubirosa. After a few minutes, though, Cuba took firm grasp of the game and dictated the flow as they wished, with Abadavilla, who was replacing the injured Isidoro showing all qualities which earned him European football. Midway through the first half, the previously unexpected (but then justified) Cuban goal came, through Faife, who capped off a great move on his debut. Needless to say, Jaume Castedo was the brains behind it.
In the second half, Cuba calmed down a little, and Mexico could once again regain some degree of control over midfield. Twenty minutes before the end, Rafael Marquez rewarded the Greens’ efforts, scoring the equalizer, which came from a Medina corner.
The final result of 1-1 though won Cuba much honour… more than three points could have ever won them. And now, it’s the Third Phase.

Cuba: Prieto – Inigo, Vasco, Ordaz (MoM), Campagnar – Ibon (sub. Sanctos) – Draco, Martinez (sub. Donde), Abadavilla – Castedo, Faife
Mexico: Sanchez – Castro, Lozano, Marquez, Davino – Morales (sub. Calvo), Santana (sub. Medina), Torrado, Fernandez – Peralta, Rubirosa (sub. Galindo)

Javi Castro
Ciego de Avila Gazette
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Post-Match Press Conference
Juan Abrantes (Havana)

Present to answer the media’s questions: Fabian Prieto, Pedro Adriani Faife and Christian Draco.

Q: Congratulations! I am Javi Castro, from the Ciego de Avila Gazette. Mr. Faife, I can only think you weren’t expecting the goal at all, let alone any points.
A: [Faife] Of course not! It was my debut, as you all know, and I thought that maybe this was just a test match for me, that I wouldn’t even play today. But still I was there, first eleven, and managed to score, thanks to a wonderfully supportive team which made me feel ‘at home’ from the very first minute.

Q: Mr. Draco, this is www.cuba.cjb.net. Good performance, discrete passes. Was finding a club to play for the turning point in your career?
A: [Draco] I have been at Inter for just a couple of weeks now, so despite being there, I can’t really say I’m the indispensable guy I’d love to become. There’s still a lot of work to be done, especially considering the caliber of my club. It was a good performance because I think the Manager has found me my best position on the field.

Q: Which is?
A: [Draco] I like to play in midfield, not necessarily as playmaker, but definitely without too many defensive responsibilities. As you have all seen, I do get into our own box to get the ball out when needed, but I prefer running a bit forward and getting the ball though to Castedo and whoever is up there with him. Thank God there was Pedro [Faife] today.

Q: Good evening, Mr. Prieto. This Cuba side has come a long way…
A: [Prieto] But there’s a long way still to go. The next six matches will all be like our last. If we manage to do well at home, and maybe upset someone away, I see us in one of the middle two positions. Direct or indirect qualification, that is…

Q: That is a very impegnative statement, Mr. Prieto.
A: I know, but I’m the keeper![laughs]

Q: But do you think you stand any real chance without key players, which regularly go exchanged by Manager Mamo? Injuries permitting, the only real ‘standard guys’ are you, Mr. Prieto, Mr. Draco and Mr. Castedo.
A: You know, I think it’s a tactic, a way of booting us whenever we need it. And keep in mind that with all arguable arguments you may bring up, we are in the third phase, and hey, we got a point against Mexico. When we get knocked out, fucillate us, but give us a chance.

Q: Mr.Draco, a comment about Aragon’s recent comments to the media?
A: I wouldn’t like to step into other people’s boots, but Aragon saying that he won’t apologise and that he’d refuse playing for Cuba doesn’t worry me at all. Without him, we’re still kicking and I think we’ve got adequate cover in his department.

Moderator: Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. I’m afraid the time for today has gone bye. Good Luck to all the Cuba team, and regards to all journalists and reporters.
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