MIAMI, Florida – Unlike most sides appearing in the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup, El Salvador’s preparation for the tournament has taken them on a European adventure.
For the last week, La Selecta have found themselves on the European continent in Croatia as part of a run-up to a friendly on Sunday with fellow 2021 Gold Cup participant Qatar in a match that ended 1-0 in favor of Qatar.
Sunday’s Qatar contest was not the only exhibition match that the Cuscatlecos were able to play. Earlier in the week El Salvador faced local Croatian side NK ISTRA in which El Salvador delivered a solid performance in a narrow 2-1 defeat.
More than anything, the trip to Croatia has provided valuable time both on and off the field for Head Coach Hugo Perez, as he readies his side for their Gold Cup opener on July 10 against Curacao.
“In general, I liked the fight and the concept of the idea of what we are playing. We started off losing but the team kept fighting and playing without getting desperate,” said Perez in a press conference following the friendly against ISTRA.
“I did not like the moments in which we made mistakes and it cost us two goals. If you are going to make a mistake, it needs to be in an area that isn’t dangerous, but overall, the player maintained our ideas.”
Sunday’s friendly with Qatar saw El Salvador start off in sharp fashion with the likes of Jairo Henriquez and Tony Rugamas getting good looks at goal.
In the end though, a second half goal for Qatar served as the winner, but there were a lot of positives to take from the match for Perez, who will now turn his team’s attention to Curacao.
