Kazan, February 29 (JIT) - The Cuban national digital soccer team tied with its similar of Russia (9-9 goals) in the beginning of the B league of this sport in the First Future Games.

Freddy Herrera's students achieved a result that should be described as positive, because they signed with little familiarity with the controls for the digital game and with the field set up at the Kazan Expo, with synthetic grass and goals larger than those of futsal.

The first step occurred on the computers, where the two Cuban pairs (one per half) scored four goals (3-3, 1-4) and lost by only two to the hosts, very much supported by the audience in the hall.

Then came the physical experience, in which intensity, good touch on the ball, high pressure and a constant search for the opponent's goal would define the winner.

"Understanding the field", experiencing the rules of the game and deciphering the opponents took a few minutes, tense at times, as a goal was scored by a "missile" from the middle of the field and a penalty kick (which became a goal) was awarded for an erroneous clearance by the goalkeeper.

Nonetheless, the Cuban national team had the means to attack the Russians and put five goals past them, three of them scored by Jonathan Hernandez, who was joined by Dayan Cotilla and Iduan Martinez with one goal apiece.

Vertigo and tension surfaced in the epilogue of the match, in the final minute, when the scoreboard showed an 8-9 disadvantage and it was key to score. The goal came thanks to a team play by the Cubans in which the Russian defense deflected a powerful shot into the net, held by the three posts.

"It was a good game for us. We were able to recover from the disadvantage in the digital and equalize. As for the event, impressed, a lot of technology and something totally new, but we Cubans adapted to everything. We fought, even though it is not exactly futsal, for the grass and the biggest goal. To win here we just have to minimize mistakes, because we have the talent," said Cuban striker Jonathan Hernandez.

"This is something very new. I have several years of experience in international competitions in America and this takes a great preparation in the technological and sporting aspects. It is impressive, a set of many things that go in the direction we like, soccer.  We have to know how to interpret them and respond with our technique, with our skills and with our chest out for Cuba," said Ariel Perez, goalkeeper in charge of the second half on the field.

"To win, we had to adapt better to the field, there are very few minutes of the match to warm up, especially against a Russian team that we know is a power in the area," he added.

"Very happy for the experience.

The boys did very well, they overcame their mistakes and we didn't lose. We worked hard on the technological part at the UCI and we brought the physical part from futsal.We can get better results here.We always have to correct things, such as covering spaces better and shooting at goal constantly, but I am satisfied with this debut", finally expressed Professor Herrera.   

This Thursday they will face Colombia to define the advance to the semifinals of the B league.