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Havana, September 30 (RHC) – The Cuban national football team defeated Bonaire 2–0 in the CONCACAF Nations League—a match where the scoreline did not fully reflect the number of chances created, as the team exploited every area of the pitch, neutralized the opponent’s midfield, and constantly troubled their defense.
Yasnier Matos’s goal in the fourth minute hinted at a massive rout—one that ultimately didn’t materialize simply because the Leones del Caribe grew overconfident and squandered chance after chance in front of the opposing goal.
A momentary lapse by the Cuban defense—a mere footnote—and a double save by goalkeeper Ismel Morgado were the only defensive concessions made; once again, they kept a clean sheet, a testament to the team’s discipline and composure on the pitch.
This superiority is best illustrated by the nearly 600 passes—double their opponent’s tally—completed with 90% accuracy; by their dominance of possession, controlling the ball for nearly 70% of the match; and by a staggering 26 shots compared to just seven from the Bonaire side—a figure that also serves as a wake-up call for the forward line, which was hardly clinical in its finishing.
Diego Catasus’s goal early in the second half felt like only partial justice, yet it raised hopes that the anticipated rout might still happen. Admittedly, the referee failed to whistle for at least two clear fouls inside the box—penalties that likely would have padded the scoreline—though this calls for an analysis of the team’s poor aim rather than complaints about officiating.
At the back, calm and order prevailed, largely thanks to the excellent, stifling defensive work of Yunior Yuri Pérez; he was commanding, pragmatic, and secure in his tackles, precise and clean in playing the ball out, and powerful and tireless in his movement. He was always there when the situation demanded it, without fail. In any case, it was a well-deserved—and arguably comfortable—victory that showcased a Cuban team capable of delighting the handful of compatriots who turned out to watch at the NBG Technical Center in Saint Kitts and Nevis.
The win allowed them to retain the top spot in Group C of the competition’s League B; although the hosts also have 6 points and five goals scored, they have conceded one, placing them a spot lower in the standings based on the tie-breaking criteria.
