Mexico struggle to beat Cuba 2-1 in Gold Cup

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey, June 9 (Reuters) Four-times CONCACAF Gold Cup winners Mexico made hard work of beating Cuba 2-1 in a Group C match yesterday.

It took a shock goal by Cuba, known more in the region for their baseball prowess, to shake the Mexicans out of their lethargy at a steamy Giants Stadium yesterday.

Mexico, missing big names such as goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez and Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez, started sluggishly against a team who had only won one Gold Cup match in four previous appearances.

The Mexicans were stunned in the 22nd minute when a right-wing cross from Osvaldo Alonso caught the defence out of position.

Striker Reynier Alcantara had time to control the ball with his left foot and drill a right-foot shot into the top corner past a diving Guillermo Ochoa.

The goal sparked Mexico into action and four minutes later a piece of individual brilliance by Nery Castillo, who plays for Olympiakos of Greece, almost levelled the scores. But after taking a high pass on his chest, his delicate chipped volley came back off the bar with goalkeeper Odelin Molina beaten.

However, in the 38th minute, the Cuban defence allowed experienced centre forward Jared Borgetti to get behind them for a free header from a cross by Adolfo Bautista for the equaliser. Borgetti is back playing in the Mexican league with Cruz Azul after brief spells with English Premier League Bolton Wanderers and in Saudi Arabia.

Mexican coach Hugo Sanchez made an inspired switch at halftime, bringing on Jose Francisco Fonseca for Bautista.

It put the Cuban defense on the back foot and 10 minutes into the second half, Fonseca's shot on the run was too hard for a diving Molina to hold and Castillo was on hand to slide home the loose ball for a 2-1 Mexico lead.

Ten minutes from the end, Fonseca nearly made it three, but his fierce header was tipped over by Molina who was then treated for several minutes for a back injury.

In the first match yesterday, Panama beat Honduras 3-2. The Gold Cup is played between countries of North and Central America and the Caribbean that make up the CONCACAF region of FIFA.

REUTERS SAM KP1737