CHARLOTTE, North Carolina – Cuba’s 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup campaign has come to an end after the team’s 7-0 defeat to Canada in its Group A finale on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
In his post-match press conference, Cuba Head Coach Raul Mederos says the focus will shift to the team’s future, beginning this fall in the Concacaf Nations League.
“We have a lot of work to do,” said Mederos. “We have the support of the federation and all those in charge to get the job done.”
While Cuba was unable to earn a point in its three matches, Mederos was quick to praise DF Yosel Piedra and GK Sandy Sanchez for their performances.
“Piedra was a player who had a very stable performance during the whole tournament, he committed a couple errors, mainly in the game against Martinique. He’s a player that we have normally used as a fullback, and in his club in Guatemala he plays as a fullback, but today we lacked players who play in that spot in which he played today, and along with goalkeeper Sandy Sanchez, despite giving up 17 goals, they had a very stable performance.
“They scored a lot of goals on Sandy but he also saved many others, and Piedra may not be a player accustomed to playing in that position but I think it can be worked with him and he can improve at that position,” said Mederos.
Mederos was also left impressed by Canada’s FW duo of Lucas Cavallini and Jonathan David, who each notched a hat trick on Sunday.
“They are very fast, very quick with the ball and without it. They are very technical players, they know how to move without the ball, they play well together, combine well together and they play well within the realm of modern day football, which is fast and collective,” concluded Mederos.
