Mexico versus http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Cuba-c2880 – Gold Cup: First half review (Part 2)
Cuba resumed their strategy to counter attack from the 10th minute onwards even after substituting Cervantes O’Farril due to an injury. Due to Mexico’s three man midfield, Cuba rarely had enough time and space on the
ball to fashion any clear cut goal scoring opportunities for their strikers. Not only that, Mexico’s high press approach also created further complications for Cuba who were quickly dispossessed by their central American rivals even they had the ball at their
feet.
In the 25th minute, Cuba had a wonderful chance to produce a goal from a special set piece routine following Marquez’s foul on Linares just outside the Mexican penalty area. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Valencia-c40863 stepped up to take the free kick
but the Cuban midfielder failed to impress with his eventual effort which sailed high and wide over the cross bar.
In the 27th minute, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 defender. The veteran defender was unable to make the goal keeper work
with his effort as it struck the goal post and went out of play for a goal kick as the score line remained at nil all.
In the 36th minute, Cuba’s resilient http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Defence-c38904 was finally broken thanks to a brilliant header by Javier Hernandez. The Manchester United forward rose above his marker inside the Cuban penalty area and powerfully headed
the ball into the back of the Cuban goal. The assist for Hernandez’s first goal of the encounter was provided by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Andrés-Guardado-c5861.
With their resistance humbled, Cuba looked second best for the rest of the first half. They were already being outplayed in the central midfield region but Cuba’s biggest problem was http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Santos-c40446, the tricky midfielder was
almost linking up with Javier Hernandez at will which made it difficult for Cuba to stem Mexico’s offensive flow.
In the 39th minute, with the crowd at their back Mexico almost scored their second goal as Guardado found himself in space inside the Cuban penalty area. However the Mexican midfielder was unable to finish the chance
at hand. The first half thus came to an end shortly after following a late offensive surge by Cuba in an attempt to equalize just before the half-time whistle. However Mexico held off this aggressive push and took a one goal lead in the second half. The hosts
completely dominated the first half but their finishing let them down on certain occasions as showcased by the 1-0 score line at the end.
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