Group C CONCACAF Gold Cup action continues at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, July 13 when Cuba takes on Trinidad and Tobago in the second group stage match for each team. A shorthanded Cuban squad was smoked 6-0 in their opener by Mexico at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois on Thursday, July 9 while Trinidad and Tobago played at the same venue against Guatemala and beat them by a score of 3-1.
2015 Gold Cup Soccer Betting Preview – Cuba vs Trinidad and Tobago
- Pinnacle currently lists Trinidad and Tobago as the favorites to win this match
Unfortunately for the Cubans, their beat down was somewhat predictable since Cuba’s manager Raul Gonzalez Triana and half a dozen of the squad’s players were stuck in transit and didn’t arrive in Chicago from their homeland in time for the game. In addition, another player Keiler Garcia defected from the team earlier in the week. This left an already-weak Cuban side even weaker. Oribe Peralta opened the scoring for Mexico after 17 minutes of play when he beat Cuban goalkeeper Diosvelis Guerra. Carlos Vela made it 2-0 just six minutes later and it was 3-0 by the 36th minute when Peralta banged in his second of the contest.
It was 4-0 at the halftime whistle as Andres Guardado scored just before it blew. Peralta wasn’t done for the night as he completed his hat trick with his third goal in the 62nd minute when he was set up by Vela. Giovani Dos Santos appeared to make it 6-0 shortly after, but his goal was called back due to offside. However, the brilliant playmaker managed to get his name on the score sheet after 75 minutes when Miguel Layun set him up. Cuba then held Mexico off the scoreboard for the last 15 minutes, but all of the damage had been done by then.
In the other game at Soldier Field, Trinidad jumped into a quick 3-0 lead and then perhaps took it a little too easy as they played out the rest of the game for a 3-1 victory. The game started like a house on fire as both teams created scoring chances early on. Trinidad and Tobago hit the back of the net first though as Sheldon Bateau put them in the lead after 11 minutes. Cordell Cato doubled the lead just four minutes later when he beat Guatemalan goaltender Ricardo Jerez. Joevin Jones made it 3-0 for Trinidad by the 26th minute and it looked like the game might turn into a rout.
Guatemala was a much improved team in the second half though and started to put the pressure on their opponents. They finally managed to break the shutout in the 62nd minute courtesy of striker Carlos Ruiz. He almost scored again 16 minutes later, but his lack of finishing hurt him. Guatemala created a few more chances before the final whistle, but couldn’t add any more goals. Trinidad can’t afford to take Cuba too lightly in Sunday’s match since the Cubans will have their manager and missing players back. Trinidad. But based on their skill level alone, Trinidad should be able to grab their second win of the tournament in Phoenix and advance to the second round.
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