• Loading...
Loading...

Preview: Cuba vs Trinidad and Tobago,CONCACAF Nations League League A

  • Soccer News 2024/10/09 03:48
  • 0

Cuba kicked off their new Nations League campaign on a promising note last month when they held heavily fancied Jamaica to a goalless draw at Independence Park in Kingston.


In that match, Los Leones del Caribe were reduced to 10 men just before half-time and somehow managed to withstand immense pressure from the Reggae Boyz, who had a total of 21 shots on goal, none of which found the back of the net.


Yunielys Castillo's side followed up that performance with a much better display against Nicaragua three days later, and were on the verge of a 1-0 victory when Widman Talavera's injury-time equaliser forced them to settle for a point.


The goal was Cuba's second ever in the competition's A section, the first coming in a 1-0 win over Suriname in September. However, the result ended their 100% record in the Nations League here at the Estadio Antonio Maceo.


Cuba now face a familiar foe in Trinidad and Tobago, a side they have played 23 times in the past but have only beaten nine times (W9 D2 L12).


The last time these two sides met was at the CONCACAF Gold Cup in July 2015, a match that Trinidad and Tobago won 2-0 thanks to first-half goals from Sheldon Bateau and Andre Boucaud.


The Soca Warriors will be looking for a repeat of that performance this week, having suffered a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Honduras in their opening game of the competition, before a disappointing goalless draw at home to French Guiana in the second round.


Indeed, those performances were a far cry from Derek King's side's level of play in June's World Cup qualifiers, although they have now suffered just one defeat in all competitions since mid-May.


However, the Soca Warriors have struggled on the road, winning just one of their last five away games, conceding a total of 15 goals and failing to score in three of those games.


Cuba will be without the services of Yunior Perez through suspension, so Castillo is likely to opt for a back four, with Dariel Morejon and Karel Perez forming the central defensive partnership.


Karel Espino scored his first competitive goal for Cuba in the draw with Nicaragua and should retain his place as the deepest midfielder, while Onel Hernandez and Daniel Diaz are likely to support Maykel Reyes in attack.


Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago will welcome back two veterans for the match in Joevin Jones and former captain Kevin Molino, who last featured for the side at USA 2023.


King's selection for the double-header also includes Toronto FC attacker Tyrese Spicer, the top pick in last year's MLS Draft, in place of AEK Athens striker Levi Garcia, who has been ruled out following his recent return from injury.


Cuba possible starting lineup:

Morgado; De la Cruz, Morejon, Perez, Blanco; Espino, Diaz, Cordero, Matos, Hernandez; Reyes


Trinidad and Tobago possible starting lineup:

Smith; A Jones, David, Garcia; Ramparsad, Gilbert, Gill, J Jones; Telfer, Spicer, Woodley


Prediction:Cuba 1-0 Trinidad and Tobago


Cuba VS Trinidad and Tobago stream and TV listing

Google search:Holasports


Loading...
Try leaving your comments

0comments

  • Hot
  • Time

No comments available