Armando Johnson, director of the Cuba team in the V World Baseball Classic (WBC)assured that all the members are prepared for the complex semifinal duel that they will hold this Sunday in Miamia city where thousands of emigrants and exiles who oppose the island’s political system reside.
On the possible hostile climate that could surround the match, the island’s manager commented to the sports portal Hit that he is convinced that the players will also find support in the American city.
#elCunaClasico wants to make history
“The boys are one hundred percent, they know what they want, as we all know,” said Armando Johnson at the gates of the first training session in Florida. #Cuba #BaseBall #TeamAserehttps://t.co/QifrIO01zU pic.twitter.com/fHMYpAJLmV— JIT Cuban Sport (@jit_digital) March 17, 2023
“We have talked about it with the boys, and everyone knows that we are going to play in a venue where unfortunately we will face provocations. But, in that sense, we are also prepared to prevent these maneuvers from achieving their objectives,” said the strategist.
“The spirit that animates us is that of baseball, and with that conviction we are going to show ourselves on the field, always for more, so that it is there where the last word is said,” he added.
The Cuban team arrived in the United States in the early hours of Thursday and traveled to the town of Jupiter, also in the state of Florida, where it will stay for the remainder of the tournament.
Although no official information has been released in this regard, it is expected that given the proximity, the team will complete its preparation sessions before the crucial clash in the training complex that the Miami Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals, teams from the Major League, have there. League Baseball (MLB).
Johnson explained to Hit that the initial idea was that only pitchers would participate in practice on Friday, but that the rest of the players decided to join the session to “do something light.”
For Saturday he confirmed the completion of “a good practice session” and that on Sunday the team will maintain “the routine that we have applied before each game.”
Destination Miami: Cuba is among the four greats of the Classic
In addition, the coach said that together with the sporting form achieved, the group “knows what it wants… there is great cohesion and in everyone’s mind is the purpose of making history.”
In turn, he valued as “an incredible stimulus” the support that the team has received from fans and followers, both those who are on the island and those who live abroad.
«We are moved by the messages and images present on social networks, as well as by the calls received and knowing that people have taken to the streets. It is one more push for the boys and for the management, because provoking that happiness in our town is the desire of those of us who are here, “he said.
Only 24 hours before that commitment, the Cubans will know the rival of the semifinal, as it will be the winner of this Saturday’s duel between the very strong teams from Venezuela and the United States, also taking place at the LoanDepot stadium in Miami, home of the Marlins.
Statement by Armando Johnson, team manager #Cubaregarding the days prior to the semifinal of the #WorldBaseballClassic2023 #Cuba #BaseBall #CubanBaseball pic.twitter.com/QiTQnQDKHb
— JIT Cuban Sport (@jit_digital) March 17, 2023
Whoever wins this challenge will be a difficult stumbling block on Cuba’s path to the final of the tournament, which the island’s team —despite the unprecedented inclusion of MLB players— did not reach as a favorite to win the crown. .
However, the Cuban manager was optimistic. “We have done part of the task, but full compliance would only come if we return home with the title, and for that we are going to leave our lives on the ground,” he said.
