On November 10 the kickoff of the final stage of the Caribbean Cup will sound. Cuba, defending champion of the tournament, will try to keep the title and also qualify for the Centennial Copa America, an opportunity that, if it seizes it, would give Cubans the chance to rub shoulders with first elite players.
Cubans are in Group A, where they share section with Curacao, French Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. The first two selections are, a priori, below the national squad and should not cause problems, but with the Trinidadians the story is different. In the third game that will define the winner of the group (and in turn to one of the finalists of the Cup) will be a rematch of the final course of the tournament, where Cubans won with a goal in extra time.
Should finish second, Cubans qualify for the 2015 Gold Cup, but will only discuss the third against the second in the B key, consisting of Jamaica, Haiti, Antigua and Barbuda and Martinique.
The winners of both groups will contest on November 17 the berth for the Centennial Copa America 2016 to be held in the United States, while the runners-up will contest the third place.
The Soca Warriors, Cuba’s main rivals in the first instance, this 2014 accumulate three wins with two losses. The wins were over the Dominican Republic, Antigua and Barbuda and St. Lucia in pre Caribbean Cup, with a balance of 9 goals for and 1 against and defeats against Argentina and Iran. That’s the big difference between the national team and the other teams in the area; these have touch with important teams in the world, while we only played with rivals in the area, hopefully. In addition, several members of the Trinity squad play for clubs in different parts of the world, including the United States, Eastern European or Scandinavian clubs; Once again, the international experience is very likely to pass bill to Cubans. Even Guiana players are playing in Europe.
Following the 2013 Gold Cup, in which they received 13 goals and scored 6 (4 to Belize), Cuba has only played three official games: one against the selection of Indonesia with a 1-0 victory, and the other two against Panama and Guatemala, both as visitors; the balance was two defeats, the first 4-0 and the second 1-0. Currently the team is ranked 112 in the FIFA rankings.
As the same in baseball Yuli and Cepeda can spend a season playing in another country, nothing prevents Cuban players from be signed to various foreign entities except that the Cuban Football Association that more than once aborted attempts signings even when they have been almost tied.
Cuba is not a football nation, but has enough talent to export some players and if these develop, our national team could qualify for a World Cup, but it is a mere speculation until the day that Cubans cracks can be tested in other pitches.
Authors
Santiago Batisdona,
santiago
