STARTING 10 Cuba begins qualifier with only 10 players
By Michael Lewis
BigAppleSoccer.com Editor
Tampa, Fla. -- In one what could very well be the first time a National Team started 10 players in an international match, Cuba fielded one less the required 11 players for its CONCACAF Olympic qualifying match against Honduras Thursday night.
That's because seven players have left the team -- they reportedly have defected -- and an eighth can't play because he has to serve a suspension due to a red card in the 1-1 draw with the United States Tuesday night.
Cuba was expected to deploy an ultra-defensive formation to keep Honduras' scoring chances down and keep the score within reason. Moreover, the team did not have any substitutes, so every player knew before the match that he would play 90 minutes, barring an injury.
The Cubans obviously were under an intense spotlight for the match. During the national anthems, all but one photographer stood on the sidelines in front of the Cuba team taking photos.
Cuba used a 1-2-5-1 lineup, a deep stopper, two central defenders, five midfielders-defenders and one man up front.
Prior to the match, CONCACAF general secretary Chuck Blazer issued a statement concerning Cuba's situation:
"CONCACAF has been notified by the head of the Cuban delegation that several players have left the team. CONCACAF has information on the location of the players or the circumstances surrounding their separation from the delegation.
"CONCACAF's sole objective is to ensure the . . . men's Olympic qualifying tournament is carried out in the proper manner. The Cuban delegation has informed us that they will continue to participate in the tournament. All matches, therefore remains as scheduled."
Media members and soccer officials in the Raymond James Stadium press box did not recall an international match or a qualifier in which a team used less than 10 players at the opening kickoff.
