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Cubans aim for starting lineup in Mexico's Cruz Azul

Xinhua, March 17, 2016 Adjust font size:

Cuban soccer players Maykel Reyes and Abel Martinez said they aim to make the starting 11 with Mexico's first division team Cruz Azul, a team they joined in January, Cuban press announced on Wednesday.

Reyes and Martinez recently signed with Cruz Azul and expressed their desire to debut in the starting lineup soon, according to Cuban news agency Prensa Latina.

The Cuban players signed a one-year-contract with the Mexican side. Currently, they are both playing for the club's second division team, but they might be promoted to the main squad in the course of the year.

Reyes has already played two matches and scored one goal in each game. He was considered Cuba's best player in 2015.

Coach Fidel Gonzalez said Reyes "has adapted well but he still has to get to know the second division better, as there are strong and older players. However, he has good qualities and a very high level of fitness as he is a high-performance athlete."

"My goal is to reach Cruz Azul's main team and be part of the starting lineup. I have to work hard so I can have a better chance at reaching my goal. Maybe the 2017 Clausura tournament will be the time. I need to continue scoring goals," said Reyes.

On the other hand, Martinez has still to make his debut in the second division team, but he still feels "very proud" to wear Cruz Azul's shirt as it is a team he has known since he was a child.

"I feel very good physically speaking and I am adapting well to Mexican soccer. I am sure I will play very well if the coaches give me the opportunity," said Martinez. Endit