体坛英语新闻：Cuban faces uphill battle in Veracruz 2014

HAVANA, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Cuban men's volleyball team will face a difficult task in the Central American and Caribbean Games to be held in Mexico's eastern state of Veracruz from Nov. 14 to 30.

Cuban coach Rodolfo Sanchez said the team aims to win the title even if it has not recovered past glories.

Sanchez said other teams favored to win include Puerto Rico, Venezuela and Mexico.

This year, Cuba has defeated all the three teams. Cuba won the American Cup held in Mexico's northwestern city of Tijuana, where they faced Puerto Rico and Venezuela in tough matches.

Cuba is part of Group B together with Bahamas, Venezuela and Puerto Rico, who won gold medals in the last three editions. Group A includes Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, the Dominican Republic and Mexico.

Sanchez said the team's strength lies in hitter Lazaro Fundadora, captain of the U-23 team that won the Pan-American Cup held in Havana last October.

The team also includes Rolando Cepeda as well as Isbel Mesa, Felix Champan and Livan Osoria.

Between 1966 and 1998, Cuba won nine consecutive titles in the Central American and Caribbean Games. In the 2006 edition held in Cartagena (Colombia), Cuba finished second to Puerto Rico.

Meanwhile, the women's team led by Juan Carlos Gala, aims to be in the top four positions.

The women's team includes Emily Borrell, Dayessi Luis, Gretell Moreno, who had a great performance at Grand Prix and the U-23 Pan-American Cup.

Other players are attackers Melissa Vargas, Sulian Matienzo and Regla Garcia, as well as Alena Horta nad Daymara Lescay.

The Dominican Republic is a favorite to win in Veracruz.

Cuba is part of Group A together with the Dominican Republic, Colombia and Venezuela. Group B includes Puerto Rico, Mexico, Costa Rica and Trinidad and Tobago.

Some 5,365 athletes will take part in Veracruz 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games in 36 sports including basque pelota, golf and open water swimming.

Cuba was first overall in 2006 with 139 gold medals, 86 silver and 60 bronze medals, followed by Mexico (107-82-87).