Friday, March 14, 2008
Cuban team start with 10 men after defections
Cuba's Olympic soccer team took to the field with only 10 men on Thursday after up to seven of their players defected.
Five members of the communist state's under-23 team defected after their Olympic qualifying game against the United States, a 1-1 draw, in Tampa on Tuesday.
A further two players, both reported to have defected, were absent from the line-up against Honduras on Thursday.
With one player already suspended following a red card, Cuba coach Raul Gonzalez had only ten players available to him and his team began the match with a one-man disadvantage and no substitutes.
Five members of the communist state's under-23 team defected after their Olympic qualifying game against the United States, a 1-1 draw, in Tampa on Tuesday.
A further two players, both reported to have defected, were absent from the line-up against Honduras on Thursday.
With one player already suspended following a red card, Cuba coach Raul Gonzalez had only ten players available to him and his team began the match with a one-man disadvantage and no substitutes.
