Step to next round is the main goal in El Salvador

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, May 17, 2012. -  National teams of Honduras, Panama, Turks & Caicos and host El Salvador are ready to begin the NORCECA First Round of the 2014 Men´s World Championship Qualification Group G that opens on Friday, May 18 at Gymnasium Adolfo Pineda.

The competition begins at 6:00 pm on Friday with the first match Honduras against Panama, followed by the opening ceremony and the match between El Salvador and Turks & Caicos. Three countries will qualify to the Second Round in 2013.

Coaches gave a brief statement about their expectations:

Juan Andres Leon (El Salvador): “During two years we’ve been renovating the national team that now is formed mostly by junior players. It has been difficult to practice but we’re up to the challenge with our best attribute, optimism, and we’ll qualify to the next round.”

Rony Martinez (Honduras):  “The objective is to qualify; we know the competition between the Central American teams is tough. The team is stronger with three members that play overseas, in Finland, Costa Rica and the United States.”

Marco Perez (Panama):  “We came to qualify to the next round in first place as our principal goal is to recover Panama’s domain in the Central American region. Our strength is the experience of our players.”

CJ Edross (Turks & Caicos):  “The team and myself are thrilled to be here and entering a NORCECA tournament for the first time. The goal is to enjoy the beginning of many future opportunities.”