New winds boosted the team this Wednesday Cuban soccerwhich for the first time under the orders of coach Pedro Pablo Pereira debuted in the CONCACAF Friendly Cup with a 3-0 win over its counterpart from Saint Lucia.
In the capital of the Dominican Republic, home of this unprecedented regional series, the Cuban cast displayed marked superiority, which allowed the strategist to test various formulas and players in his scheme, according to a report from the sports portal Hit.
Soccer team thrashes Saint Lucia
Pedro Pablo Pereira debuted as technical director with a 3-0 victory.#Cuba #soccerhttps://t.co/4CXXKWGHD4 pic.twitter.com/CZx83OjSRz— JIT Cuban Sport (@jit_digital) November 13, 2025
Not much resistance was expected from the rival, but the team had come to this clash in the middle of a reconstruction process, and after having conceded three resounding defeats against Caribbean rivals in their most recent friendly matches, although with a formation made up mostly of players who play in the domestic tournament.
When the main referee whistled the end of the initial period, the Cubans went to half-time with the advantage of the goals scored by Romario Torres and Yasniel Matos, although they deserved more, the publication reports.
Ball possession, which exceeded 70% until the final whistle, was key for Pereira’s disciples to control the match.
Dayron Reyes was responsible for putting definitive figures on the scoreboard in the 53rd minute, thanks to a precise shot that slipped between the post and the rival goalkeeper, and with the comfortable lead the parade began from the bench.
Players without much experience in the senior team, several members of the team that Pereira also led in the recent U-20 World Cup, had the opportunity to demonstrate their talent, and left the coach pleased.
“They showed that they are capable of doing it and I want to congratulate them for the execution of a football idea that ends up paying us good dividends,” declared the coach once the match was over.
The next presentation on Quisqueyan lands is scheduled for next Saturday against the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines squad, which could pose greater demands if we look at its history.
With this duel the Cuban team closes its forays into this first phase of the series, which will continue next year with matches against the Dominican Republic and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
For the coaching staff, they will be opportunities to continue calibrating the team for the most relevant international commitments of the future, including the CONCACAF Nations League and qualification for the next Gold Cup.
