Havana, November 14 (ACN)-- Cuba's senior national soccer team lost 0-2 to Nicaragua on Saturday in the second and last friendly match between the two countries on the last FIFA day of the year at the National Stadium in Managua.
The two Nicaraguan goals were headers, scored by midfielder Kevin Serapio and striker Luis Manuel Galeano, in the 6th and 90th minutes, respectively.
Cuba had to play the end of the first half and the entire second half with one player down, when referee Ángela Guzmán sent off mixed midfielder Dayron Reyes in the 35th minute for accumulation of yellow cards.
Pinar del Río's technical director Pablo Elier Sánchez's team lost the battle in the midfield on Saturday, was not good at recovering balls and did not show order in the exits due to the pressure always exerted by the team led by Argentinean Juan Vita.
The Cubans barely had the ball in the first 15 minutes of the second half, and a single shot from a set piece by Luis Paradela in minute 60 demanded a good save from goalkeeper Douglas Forvis, who managed to make contact and the ball hit the crossbar.
Nicaragua took advantage of the lesser player that Cuba had and grew in attack, had many more shots on goal and, with the efficient work of their midfielders Henry Garcia and Richard Rodriguez, deserved the victory.
Last Wednesday, the Leones del Caribe had beaten the Pinoleros 3-0.
