Cuba resist to Japan in the opening game

Cuba clinched the draw against Japan (1-1) in Toulon Tournament's opening game for the group A.

The first half was all dominated by Japan. Technically better than Cuba, Japan created themselves several opportunities by Hiroki Abe, who missed three big chances. After a face-to-face against the Cuban goalkeeper, he hit the post and didn't align his shot.

During a second half more equilibrated, Cuba felt more solid in defense and created themselves more opportunities in front of the goal, but not enough to be dangerous. Japan kept their pace and finally scored a goal thanks to Ito (55th) with a long shot just in front of the penalty area. Then, Cuba defended much better and Japan couldn't increase the score. And after a long pass, Oviedo Valdes, the Cuban player, tied the game (71th) with a strike who went off the post and surprised the Japanese goalkeeper.

Mentally and physically strong in defense, Cuba avoided the loss at the end of the second half.

Japan – Cuba : 1-1
Day 1 - Group A
Stade De Lattre, Aubagne
Goals : Ito (55th), Oviedo Valdes (71e)
Japon : Osako, Nakagawa, Tanaka, Mikuni, Tatsuta, Harigaya, Suminaga, Yoshio, Ito, Abe, Yoshio. Coach : Masanaga Kageyama
Cuba : Echevarria Dìaz, Blanco Crespo,Morris Calero, Madrigal Calmell Morejòn Rodriguez, Sando Herve, Puga Saucedo, Frometa, Tuero Zanetti, Andreus Milanés, Herrera Cruz. Coach : Jorge Issac Querol

Raul Gonzalez Triana: (Cuba´s Head Coach)

How do you analyze this draw. Is it a good result for your team?

It was a very balanced game, both team had occasions. At the end, after substitutions, my team took the advantage on the field to equalize

After this draw, are you more confident for the next games?

Yes I am ! I must analyze the next opponent, England. But first, we have to recover, that’s important. We have been on travel for a long time. We are a small country that improve itself step by step, we are very happy to win one point today. We want to thanks the Tournament’s organization for the invitation.

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Danny Echevarria Diaz (Cuba goalkeeper): "A very good result for us"

I did what I had to do, we did a lot of face-to-face during the training session. I was also quite lucky today. This is a very good result for us.

How do you analyze this result against one of the best team of the Tournament?

We are a small nation, we hope we can go the final (laugh)

You speak about the final, do you have some hope after this first game?

No (laugh), we just want to honor our counrty and put it the higher possible on the final ranking. We don’t think to the final for the moment, but we are going to fight, and do all we can do for Cuba.