CONCACAF Nations League selection announced

Havana, March 14 (JIT) - The Cuban Football Association (AFC) revealed the 23-player roster that will participate in the upcoming 2022-2023 CONCACAF Nations League.

The team, under the direction of Pablo Elier Sánchez, will play on March 23 against Barbados as a visitor.

They will then return to the Antonio Maceo Stadium in Santiago de Cuba to close the group stage against Guadeloupe on March 26, a match in which they will play for promotion to the A level of the tournament and a ticket to the 2023 Gold Cup.

The most notable absence is that of English Norwish City striker and star of the national team Onel Hernandez, who suffered an injury with his club at the last minute and its seriousness is still being evaluated.

"It is undoubtedly a sensitive loss, but at this time we must put all our trust in players who, although less experienced, are very talented and have performed very well at foreign clubs," said Miguel Angel Diaz, general secretary of the AFC.

Young players of proven quality such as Yasnier Matos and Daniel Díaz are the strongest candidates to replace him.

Other absentees from the squad include the injured Christian Flores and center-back Modesto Méndez.

On the other hand, the incorporations of Jassael Herrera and midfielder Neisser Sandó from Cienfuegos stand out, the latter a natural replacement for Davide Incerti, who was also absent for this call-up.

Also notable is the return of Jorge Luis Corrales from Pinar del Río after fully recovering from an injury that kept him away from the fields.

"We have only one goal, to qualify as top of the group to the Gold Cup and play in the A level of the CONCACAF Nations League. We have a large and versatile group, with a lot of youth and talent, in which we are confident to do so," the Cuban coach told JIT.

The call also stands out because young players like Mario Peñalver and Greibel Palma, in addition to Daniel Diaz and Carlos Denilson Milanés, who along with others are shown as the promising future of the Cuban senior team.

"We try to give everyone opportunities to show that they can, we know that there are many talented players, but we consider that those who are here respond to our needs. The cases of Peñalver and Greibel are examples of young players who did well and earned continuity," Sanchez explained.

The team under the command of the Pinar del Río coach is made up of goalkeepers Sandy Sánchez Mustelier, Nelson Johnston Barrientos and Raiko Arozarena González.

On defense are Dariel Morejón Rodríguez, Jassael Herrera Madrazo, Mario E. Peñalver Ibáñez, Greibel Palma González, Yunior Yuri Pérez Pérez, Yosel Piedra Guillén, Carlos Alberto Vázquez Fernández and Jorge Luis Corrales Cordero.

In the midfield will be Rolando Abreu Canela, Carlos Denilson Milanés Navarro, Neisser Sandó Herve, Karel Espino Contreras, Aricheel Hernández Mora, Dayron Reyes and Roberney Caballero Ariosa.

In front, Willian Pozo Venta Rueda, Luis Javier Paradela Díaz, Yasnier Matos Rodríguez, Maikel Reyes Azcuy and Daniel R. Díaz Quiala will play.