- Title: CUBA-USA/COSMOS New York Cosmos defeat Cuba in diplomatic soccer friendly
- Date: 3rd June 2015
- Summary: HAVANA, CUBA (JUNE 02, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF CUBAN NATIONAL SQUAD AND NEW YORK COSMOS ENTERING FIELD YOUTHS HOLDING FIFA FLAG SPECTATORS IN STANDS ABOVE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES ON WHICH MESSAGE IS INSCRIBED: "PRESIDENT OBAMA LET ME TRAVEL TO SEE STEPH CURRY'S SHOW AT NBA PLAYOFF" NEW YORK COSMOS SCORE GOAL COSMOS PLAYERS CELEBRATE GOAL AND EMBRACE (SOUNDBITE) (Spani
- Embargoed: 18th June 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Cuba
- Country: Cuba
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA8LHA1D29ZZZWFBCCWPF2PF4HF
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The New York Cosmos dominated Cuba 4-1 on Tuesday (June 2) in a soccer friendly meant to promote better relations between the United States and Cuba and demonstrate that baseball-mad Cuba is also becoming a soccer nation.
International goodwill was on display as the U.S. flag was unfurled on the pitch and the U.S. national anthem played before the match, both rarities in Cuba.
But the Cuban national team disappointed against a club from the second-tier North American Soccer League, falling behind 4-0 in the first half on two goals by Lucky Mkosana and one each from Sebastian Guenzatti and Hagop Chirishian.
Cuban fans in the stands saw the silver lining.
"Maybe they (Cuba) didn't win the game, but it's a winning experience because they've never played a team of this level, and so considering the elimination of the Cuba team, maybe it's still a victory from the point of view of what they've gotten to see," said Cuban fan Michel Perez.
Cuba, which has not appeared in a World Cup since 1938, scored five minutes into the second half on a strike by Andy Baquero.
Raul, the former Real Madrid striker and Spain captain who is now the face of the Cosmos, went scoreless.
The Cosmos became the first U.S. professional sports team to visit Cuba since detente in December, when U.S. President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro announced they would seek to restore diplomatic relations that were severed in 1961.
A daylong rain dissuaded many fans who left empty the uncovered sections of the 28,000-seat Pedro Marrero Stadium.
Those who showed were in a festive mood, starting with chants for Brazilian football great Pele when he appeared from a balcony before the match. Pele, 74, a star from the Cosmos teams of the 1970s, was on his first visit to Cuba.
Fans even cheered the prematch warm-ups, blowing horns and waving flags while cramped under a leaky corrugated metal roof on one side of stadium.
The fans who stuck around saw the many positive consequences from the game.
"It (the game) seems to me that it's very important because sports can be means for relations between the two countries. I think that's something all Cubans are hoping for, as it's easier for (Cuban-) Americans to come and visit their family, but for us, it's impossible. And so this is a good moment to broaden the relations, I don't know, to see something positive," said Cuban fan Alfredo Diaz.
Baseball remains Cuba's national sport but soccer has gained in popularity, as evidenced by multiplying contests on dusty pitches and a proliferation of Real Madrid and Barcelona jerseys. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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