::Grenada Sports::

[FOOTBALL]

Friday, October 24; Pedro Marrero Stadium, Havana, Cuba: Cuba crushed the Netherland Antilles 7-1 as they cruised to three points in their opening fixture of Group G in the Digicel Caribbean Championships last night.

Host nation Cuba, who has recently suffered heavy defeats at the hands of their perennial rivals the U.S.A in the world cup qualifiers, returned to Havana to assert its claims as the classiest comrades in the Caribbean.

The on-field revolution began in minute 23 after continued pressure in the opening minutes from Cuba. The deadlock was breached when Leonel Duartes first time shot was blocked by goalkeeper Marcello Pisas on the line. Duartes wasn't to be denied, as his follow up shot was unstoppably pounded into the roof of the net.

Cuba constructed its second goal in minute 27 when Jaine Colome's free-kick from the flank was glanced in amongst the crowd by Yenier Marques.

With barely half an hour played, Cuba continued to run the Netherland Antilles around the park like ants, and a crucial switch by winger Alain Cervantes from the right flank to the left served Cuba's cause well.

Within moments of Cervantes switch, he created a great opportunity from his new home along the left; having outpaced his man, Cervantes cut inside and floated a pinpoint cross to Roberto Linares who was left alone in the box. But with all the time in the world to pick his spot, the forward chose a target some four feet wide of the mark.

Linares would adjust his line minutes later as Hensy Munoz abused his marker to get to the goal line, before slipping it into the path of Linares who found the target this time around to take the lead to three.

At this stage, Cuba was methodically dismantling the Netherland Antilles defense and looked like scoring every other trip up-field - and in minute 44 they did. Silvio Minoso's goal-line run created the angle to pass to Linares, who scooped a cross to Leonel Duartes to volley home cleanly for his second and Cuba's fourth.

The revolution continued in the second half and, despite the rain that had begun to fall at halftime, the Cubans remained on cue, pushing their passes around the park like finely rolled Cuban cigars.

Jorge Clavelo was denied Cuba's fifth goal courtesy of a great save in a crowded box by Pisas in minute 56, but they got an advantage of another kind when Joshua Biicinti was sent off for his second bookable offense.

The Netherland Antilles responded with the help of referee Alfredo Whittaker, who pointed to the penalty spot in minute 61 after a phantom foul in the box. Ashar Benandus stepped up to take it and didn't disappoint - securing what would ultimately prove a consolation goal for the Netherland Antilles.

The insult of conceding a goal was too much for the Cuban's to bear and they immediately sought retribution, turning up the heat and the pressure to Dutch pot levels. So when they added an inevitable fifth goal, the Netherlands Antilles were well and truly cooked. Jaine Colome was the head chef for the fifth goal, as his half-volley was powered through a line of defenders on the goal-line in minute 79.

Minute 82 marked the sixth goal for Cuba, as Alain Cervantes corner was flicked on by Yenier Marques for Jorge Clavelo to club it in with his head.

The seventh and final goal of the game may have been its best, as Roberto Linares dribbled into the box untouched from 25 yards out before poking it past a hapless Marcello Pisas in goal.

Cuba's soccer revolution was now complete as they secured a 7-1 trouncing of the Netherland Antilles, to take them to the summit of Group G in the Digicel Caribbean Championships on goal difference.

Cuba: 12. Odelin Molina, 3. Yenier Marques, 2. Silvio Pedro Miñoso, 5. Jorge L. Clavelo, 4. Hanier Dranguet, 14. Jaine Colome, 7. Lazaro Alfonso (8. Alianni Urgelles min-70), 9. Alain Cervantes, 11. Hensy Muñoz, 15. Leonel Duartes (18. Mario Ruiz min-75), 10. Roberto Linares

Subs: 1. Dany Luis Quinteros, 13. Carlos D Francisco, 16. Reysandri Fernández, , 6. Yoel Colome,

Netherland Antilles: 6. Chayron Anastasia, 10. Ashar Bernandus, 5. Joshua Biicintini, 4. Mujoybert Delando, 7. Everon Espacia, 2. Jervine Mook, 18. Marcello Pisas, 8. Demy Rosario(17. Rishendes Marceli min-74), 11. Soranley Tomsjansen, 9. Kevin Van Velhen (15. Joel Victoria min-12), 3. Rugene Virginie

Subs: 12. Rishendel Doran, 14. Curly Hooi, 1. Rowendy Summer, 16. Djarston Torbed,

Referee: Alfredo Whittaker (Cayman Islands)

Courtesy: DigicelFootball

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