“We are here to win the (Gold) Cup not just one game” claims Miguel Herrera; Cuba no match for Mexico in Opening

Picture Courtesy: Mexsport / concacaf.com

By Francisco Romero. –  Mexico started Gold Cup play in the right direction against Cuba.  El Tri had no mercy against the Cubans beating them 6-0 in the opener for both teams.

2015 has not been kind to El Tri; Thursday’s victory over Cuba was just the fourth one this year for Miguel Herrera’s team in 12 contests.

Oribe Peralta rose to the occasion against Cuba, scoring three goals, including a hat trick; Andres Guardado, Carlos Vela and Giovani Dos Santos scored the other three goals for Mexico.

Oribe Peralta became the fourth Mexican to score three goals or more in a CONCACAF Gold Cup match, joining Luis Roberto Alves (1993: 7 v Martinique), Luis Miguel Salvador (1993: 3 v Jamaica) and Javier Hernandez (2011: 3 v El Salvador).

Mexico’s head coach Miguel Herrera was very happy with the victory, he felt at home playing in Chicago, “Every time we play in the United States we feel like the home team no matter who we face.”

Cuba never had a chance; Mexico attacked from all angles and took advantage of a weak Cuban Team.

Cuba has off the field problems to deal with; it is believed that Keilen Garcia defected.

“We knew it (Cuba) was a very weak team, al least our team did what is was supposed to do and gave the fans the pleasure to watch six goals scored.  We attacked them from all over,” said Herrera after the game.

“We are not here to win only one game, we are here to win the tournament, we want the (Gold) Cup,” added Herrera.

Mexico is looking for vindication after falling to Panama (2-1) in the semifinals two years ago and not reaching the final for the first time since 2005.

If Mexico win the Gold Cup, for a record-extending seventh time, they will face the 2013 champion USA in a playoff to determine CONCACAF’s representative at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia.