Officials of the Cuban Football Association (AFC) announced the official call-up for players representing the island in friendly matches against their counterparts from Chile and Uruguay on 11 and 20 June, respectively.
As per press reports, those summoned will form the basis of the team that will play the upcoming Gold Cup in the United States from June 24. Among those called up, youngster Romário Torres stands out, having recently signed with Uruguay’s historic Nacional club.
The president of the AFC, Miguel Angel DÃaz, insisted that many of these 23 players would compete in the Gold Cup and said that these friendly matches of FIFA date “will serve to assess specific needs and individual performance.”
Squad: Goalkeepers: Sandy Sanchez, Rico Arrozarena and Nelson Johnson. Defenders: Mario Peñalvar, Modesto Mendez, Carlos Vazquez, Daryl Morajon, Yosel Piedra, Jorge Luis Corrales and Grebel Palma. Midfielders: Erichel Hernandez, Yunor Yuri Perez, Carlos Denilson, Romario Torres, Niecer Sando and Roberto Caballero. Forwards: Maykel Reyes, William Pozzo, Daniel Diaz, Yasnier Matos, Luis Javier Paredella and rookie Eldair Ruiz.
This Thursday, June 1, through its official Twitter account, the AFC also published a preliminary list of footballers who will be included in the final roster of the team selected for the upcoming Gold Cup to be held from the end of June. mid-July in various US cities.
The list includes 33 players, some of them with outstanding performances in the 107th National Soccer League, such as striker Cristian Valiente, the leading scorer in that tournament, and Samoilbis López, also a striker.
“From this broad group will come the 23 selected for the Gold Cup starting at the end of June, whose names will be announced within the deadlines established by the competition,” said Miguel Angel Diaz.
Football management in Cuba pulled soccer players Carel Espino and Diron Reyes out of this pre-score due to injury, as well as Christian Flores, who is recovering from surgery.
The Cuban football team was in Group D for the Gold Cup. Along with Cuba the favorites for this tournament will be the Canadians, their counterparts from Guatemala and another team that has yet to be defined.
