Cuba and Costa Rica draw in U-17 soccer friendly

HAVANA, Cuba, Oct 29 (acn) The Cuban and Costa Rican U-17 women´s soccer teams drew 2-2 their first of two friendly matches in the Pedro Marrero Stadium in Havana.

The Costa Rican squad used their better technical level to control the game in the center of the field, while the Cubans based their efforts on speed and good game on the sides.
Cuba scored first, on the 18th minute, when after a fast comeback, winger Chirino sent the ball towards the penalty spot and a Costa Rican defender touched it with her hand, and the referee called the penalty. Cuban Savon took the shot to give Cuba the lead.
But, seconds before the end of the first half, defender Blanco tied the game with a free kick from some 40 meters away that left Cuban goalie Hernández with no other choice but to get the ball from inside the goal.
Cuba regained the lead on the 50th minute after a corner kick when defender Corcho scored with a header, but the Costa Rican Palacios tied the game for the last time minutes later.
Cuba had a last chance to win the match with one minute left on the clock but striker Mengana couldn't overcome the defense of goalkeeper Rabi.
The second friendly game will take place this Friday. Both teams are getting ready to face the qualifiers for the CONCACAF finals, to be held in Grenada in March 2016, which will give three tickets to the Jordan World Cup