| Photo: JIT |
Kazan.- THE TEAM Cuban futsal player today staged a sensational comeback against the strong team from Belarus and advanced to the quarterfinals of the physical tournament of the Brics 2024 Sports Games, held in this Russian city.
It was the second victory of the day for the Antilleans in group D, achieved after cutting a dangerous difference in the digital segment (5-8) and finishing on the field tied at 10 goals. After the two five-minute periods concluded, the surrender of the Europeans came in the extensive penalty shootout that closed with a score of 8-7.
It is fair to mention the collective work of a team, who never showed signs of despair, to add goals, seven after the digital battle signed by Jonathan Hernández, Jorge González and Harold Iglesias, all with two, and one on Cristian’s account Brave.
They exhibited the same serenity in the decisive shots, with only one miss, while the performance of goalkeepers Kevin Rueda and Ariel Pérez rounded out the task sentenced by Jonathan with the eighth perforation.
The Cubans put on such a beautiful show that they deserved the applause and admiration of the spectators, who also gave free rein to the joy of seeing them triumph, demonstrated from the beginning of the meeting by carrying signs alluding to the Island.
Freddy Herrera’s students opened the day with a victory over the Vietnam team, also via penalties (3-1), after a four-goal tie in a challenge that favored Cuba 4-2 in the front leg. to the screens.
Professor Herrera, when referring to the closing match against Belarus, told HIT “It was very difficult to start by losing the game by five goals, but the group’s motto is that we cannot give up and I am very happy with the response of my boys and even more so against a very strong opponent, both physically and mentally.” electronic”.
«The two victories gave us six very important points because they provide peace of mind before playing the third challenge of the crossing, but we have to continue with the same mentality, that all the teams are strong and we cannot trust ourselves, continue showing the Cuban’s strength, who “he doesn’t let himself give up,” he said.
For his part, Jonathan excitedly stated that “what we were able to achieve was something impressive, erasing a five-goal deficit. In the penalty shootout we also knew how to remain calm and coldly define the match. “I think we deserved the victory after having tied 8-8, we even won over the public with our reaction.”
This Friday the Cuban team must face the Brazilian team, which finished second in its bracket, falling to Kazakhstan 4-5. Regarding this challenge, Jonathan indicated that “we are going to maintain our game, always in search of victory. “We are well prepared, so let’s get on top of them, as they say in good Cuban.”
The semifinal round and the medal discussion are scheduled for this Saturday the 22nd, the eve of the official closing of these Games, to which athletes from more than 90 nations attended to compete in the 27 disciplines called.
