Cuba vs Canada live stream soccer world cup qualification match online on HD TV

Cuba vs Canada live stream soccer world cup qualification match online on HD TV

Time and date:08/06/12 14:00   

Venue:Havana

Status:LIVE

Cuba vs Canada live 

Cuba:

Qualification history
Primarily a baseball-loving country, Cuba has nevertheless enjoyed its fair share of success on the football pitch over the last decade. Little more than makeweights in the past, the Cubans are now a regular presence at the CONCACAF Gold Cup and reached the first group phase of the qualifying competition for South Africa 2010. Pooled with USA, Trinidad and Tobago and Guatemala, they were unable to make any further progress, however.

FIFA World Cup finals history
Many years have passed since Cuba last reached the FIFA World Cup™ finals, their one and only appearance coming in France 1938, when the island’s representatives stunned Romania in a first-round replay thanks to goals from Manuel Tunas and Hector Socorro. Facing Sweden in driving rain in Antibes in the next round, they failed to adapt to the conditions and were easily beaten. Since then the Cubans have made a handful of unsuccessful attempts to return to the big stage.

The current crop
Though lacking a professional league, Cuba have managed to fashion a competitive side, thanks in part to the country’s long and proud sporting tradition. And while expectations may be somewhat lower than in neighbouring countries, the Cubans are aiming to go a step better than in the qualifiers for South Africa 2010 and reach the final six-team 'hexagonal' group. To achieve that they will need to improve on their recent CONCACAF Gold Cup showing in the United States, where they became the first team to be knocked out of the competition following back-to-back losses to Mexico and Costa Rica.

The key players
The national team is an interesting blend of veterans and up-and-coming youngsters. Now 36, goalkeeper Odelin Molina has won 102 caps in all, a record for the country, while their leading outfield player is forward Roberto Linares. Providing him with able support are the brothers Jaime and Yoel Colome, and 20-year-old Yaudel Lahera is the pick of their crop of youngsters.

Coach: Raul Gonzalez Triana
Best performance in a FIFA competition: FIFA World Cup France 1938 (Quarter-finals)
Former stars: Manuel Tunas, Hector Socorro, Lester More

Canada :
Qualification history
Canada have had an up-and-down history in qualifying for the FIFA World Cup™ finals. They began their attempts at reaching world football’s biggest stage in the preliminary rounds of Sweden 1958. After putting a first toe in the water, the Canucks suffered from growing pains before finally achieving a degree of stability in the early 1980s. English coach Tony Waiters brought with him a focus on defence and organisation and the Canadians were unlucky not to qualify for Spain 1982, a draw on the last day of qualifying against Cuba sending El Salvador through to the finals instead. They didn’t have to rue their defeat for long, however, and their greatest moment came in 1985 when a pair of wins over Honduras saw the side through to a first-ever FIFA World Cup finals in Mexico in 1986.

FIFA World Cup finals history
Canada arrived on Mexican soil in ’86 with a reputation for strong defence, but a rather anemic ability in front of goal. In their first game against defending European champions France, the North Americans were able to hold Michel Platini and co until the 79th minute, when a fatal error by goalkeeper Paul Dolan allowed Jean-Pierre Papin to steal in and score the winner in a tense 1-0 loss. They were unable to get in among the goals in their following games and exited their only finals to date with a pair of losses to Hungary and the USSR and without scoring a single goal.

The current crop
Canada have been inconsistent in their form of late, but have a strong squad to draw on in their bid to reach Brazil 2014. Failing to reach the final round of CONCACAF qualifying in their last three qualifying cycles, they have pace, youth and experience in abundance this time around and are hoping for a return to the glory days of 1986. Coach Stephen Hart looks to have instilled an amount of discipline and organisation in the squad and hopes are high in the camp despite a dramatic and harsh first-round exit from the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Key players
The Canadian team is led by Atiba Hutchinson of PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch Eredivisie. A versatile player, the jet-heeled Hutchinson is most effective coming up through midfield and adding himself to the attack. The defensive and leadership roles are handled by long-time Germany-based captain Paul Stalteri and Burnley’s David Edgar. In attack, Dwayne De Rosario of New York Red Bulls will add the creativity while Ali Gerba plays the poacher’s role.

Coach: Stephen Hart
Best performance at a FIFA World Cup: FIFA World Cup Mexico 1986 (First Round), FIFA U-20 World Cup UAE 2003 (quarter-finals)
Former stars: Bob Lenarduzzi, Branko Segota, Dale Mitchell