Oribe Peralta scored a hat-trick to guide Mexico to a thumping 6-0 win over Cuba in their opening match of the CONCACAF Gold Cup this evening. But it is said that the problem was “Logistical problem” apparently prohibited the team affiliates from departure Antigua after an Olympic qualifier.
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Before the match, assistant coach Walter Benitez, who was coaching the team in place of Triana, told Prince-Wright they will still “manage,” despite the frustrating situation.
Mexico team has all the advantages in this game because Cuba will be without its head coach and seven players.
With 84 spots separating Mexico from Cuba in FIFA’s rankings, Herrera warned his players to expect tougher fixtures against their other Group C opponents Guatemala and Trinidad and Tobago. By the end of the Chicago in 90 minutes, Mexico collected a total of 44 shots in the game. “That’s why it was so important to play like that today, keep that intensity … try to score as many goals as we can”.
Prediction for this match, Mexico is bound to win against Cuba, they may struggle early on getting used to the pace of play with Hernandez, but they’ll find out eventually. They needed to get a glimpse of their favorite players.
“This tournament’s very even”, Herrera said through a translator.
Miguel Herrera’s side should have taken the lead in the second minute when Carlos Vela collected Andres Guardado’s cross, but his effort was cleared off the line by Hanier Dranguet. Peralta was the goal scorer again, completing his hat trick, as a cross from Giovani Dos Santos fluttered over the keeper.
Vela capitalized on poor clearing attempt by the Cuban defense five minutes later to make it 2-0 before Peralta potted his second of the game with a blast to the bottom left corner in the 37th minute.
The Cubans never seriously threatened the Mexican goal, and rarely even ventured far into the Mexico half of the field.
Mexico lead Group C with three points and a plus-six goal difference, with Trinidad and Tobago (three, plus two) in second after their 3-1 triumph over Guatemala, which was also held in Chicago.
Orozco has missed Mexico’s past 13 games but having finished the 2014-15 Liga MX season with six goals in seven matches, the 27-year-old forward is confident of taking his chance at the Gold Cup.
Sheldon Bateau, Cordell Cato and Joevin Jones scored for the Caribbean side. 35 year old Carlos Ruiz will be asked to provide additional scoring punch for Guatemala as they take on T&T.
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An immaculate through ball in the 34 minute found the feet of Peralta and he tried to get cheeky and put the ball around the goal keeper, but Cuba’s Diosvelis Guerra got the stop.
