HOUSTON, TEXAS – Darwin Ceren is the homecoming king as the El Salvador national team prepares to face Jamaica in a pivotal 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup Group C encounter on Friday at BBVA Stadium in Houston.
Ceren, who plays his club football in the same stadium that the second matchday will take place in, is confident the national team can leave with a favorable result.
“I’m glad to return home and that the match will be here. This stadium lends itself to the football the national team is used to playing, with the quality of players we have that like to go out playing with the ball,” said Ceren in Thursday’s pre-match press conference.
El Salvador is looking for its first win in Gold Cup play against the Caribbean nation and feels good about leaving with a positive result due to its 2-0 win over the Jamaicans in Concacaf Nations League Qualifying earlier this year.
Ceren was the player with most passes completed in El Salvador’s opening match against Curacao (60) and, as a defensive midfielder, will be called upon to make the night difficult for Jamaica’s attacking attempts.
“I’m a player that goes out on the field and enjoy every match because it’s what I do, it’s what I’m passionate about and what has me where I am today. Every match for me is very special and especially because I have my brother playing here too,” added Ceren.
The elder Ceren, who is the older brother of teammate Oscar Ceren, has the fourth-most appearances of the current roster.
Among the keys to Friday’s match, the Quezaltepeque native preaches conviction and joy from his team to achieve a positive result.
“We feel ready for this commitment. We know it will be a tough match but we trust in what we’re doing and the work plan we have and based on that, the confidence of the group is intact and we come to get a good result – a result that gets us closer to the next round,” concluded Ceren.
