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U.S. defeat Cuba 2-0 in soccer friendly in Havana

Xinhua, October 8, 2016 Adjust font size:

The United States defeated Cuba 2-0 on Friday in the first friendly match between the two nations in over six decades.

Thousands of U.S. and Cuban fans arrived very early at Pedro Marrero Stadium in western Havana to witness the historic match.

The game was very physical in the first 45 minutes with Cuba dominating the offense and giving the visiting team a hard time.

Dressed in their usual all red uniform the Cuban squad had at least four chances on goal in the first half but could not finish off their drives to score.

The U.S. team came out strong for the second half and just 17 minutes in, midfielder Chris Wondolowski scored due to a mistake in Cuba's defense.

Just nine minutes later the U.S. scored their second goal with a sharp shot from forward Julian Green, one of the promising youngsters on the U.S. side.

The U.S. team had 60 percent ball possession and made 18 shots on goal while Cuba only managed nine. These statistics show the superiority of the squad headed by German coach, Jurgen Klinsmann.

The U.S. team arrived in Havana with a young team in the middle of preparing to play for a spot in the World Cup Russia 2018, where they have a great chance of qualifying.

The last time a U.S. team visited Havana was in 2010 when they defeated Cuba 1-0 in the qualifying round of the World Cup.

In 1947 the Cuban team received the U.S. national team in a friendly tournament called the North American Championship. Back then Cuba won 5-2.

This is the second major sports event since both nations reestablished diplomatic relations last year. In March, the Major League Baseball team Tampa Bay Rays played the Cuban national team as part of Obama's visit to the Caribbean island. Enditem