Stone against Chile
Montevideo, June 20 (JIT) - The 23-member roster of the senior Cuban soccer team that will play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2023 was announced on Monday.
In the squad, coached by Pablo Elier Sánchez, only one change stands out with respect to those who made the training tour in Uruguay and who will play this Tuesday a friendly match against Uruguay.
It is Jassael Herrera, from Cienfuegos, who will replace Greibel Palma, who is recovering from an injury suffered in the friendly match played by the Leones del Caribe against the Chilean national team on June 11.
Herrera can play as a left-sided defender, as well as a right-sided midfielder, a position in which he is used in the Cienfuegos Marineros team, which is playing in the final of the 107th National Soccer League's Closing Tournament.
The absence of Norwich striker Onel Hernández, who did not recover from his injury for the most important competition that the tricolor team will face this year, stands out.
"We waited until the last minute to know Onel's condition because we know he is a very important player for our team, but in the end he was unable to attend the call-up," explained the team's technical director.
"Jassael is a player who has been part of the group and we are confident that, despite the fact that he did not attend the South American tour, he can quickly integrate into our dynamic. He is also in excellent physical shape and will contribute goals to his team in the final of the national championship," said Sánchez.
Thus, the team is made up of goalkeepers Raico Arozarena, Sandy Sánchez and Nelson Jonhston.
In defense are Yosel Piedra, Modesto Méndez, Carlos Vázquez, Yunior Yuri Pérez, Jorge Luis Corrales, Dariel Morejón, Mario Peñalver and the aforementioned Herrera.
In the midfield, Neysser Sandó, Eduardo Hernández, Aricheell Hernández, Romario Torres, Carlos Denilson Milanés, Roberney Caballero, Luis Javier Paradela and William Pozo.
The forwards are Maykel Reyes, Daniel Díaz, Yasnier Matos and debutant Aldair Ruiz.
This team is currently in Uruguay, where it is preparing for the most important CONCACAF event, which ends this Tuesday with the aforementioned friendly match, before its debut on the 27th against Guatemala in group D.
