Brazil, Portugal claim early wins in Cascais

The traditional BSWW Mundialito heavyweights are up and running after day one.

There were victories for Brazil and Portugal on day one of the BSWW Mundialito in Cascais on Friday.

Holders Brazil kicked off their title defence with a 9-4 win against debutants Russia thanks largely to an impressive four-goal display from Mauricinho.

The Brazil man provided a constant threat and, while Russia were within a goal of their opponents until halfway through the second period, the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup champions’ class told in the end.

In what was a rip-roaring start to the match, and indeed the competition, chances flowed freely at both ends on Carcavelos Beach before Catarino broke the deadlock with a cool sidefoot finish.

Team-mate Mauricinho then went close before Russia’s first chance came and went when Artur Paporotnyi sent a strike wide. Mauricinho did get on the target two minutes before the break, although Vladislav Zharikov managed to beat Mao to halve the deficit going into the interval.

The Brazil forward was on target once again within a minute of the restart only for an unfortunate Filipe own-goal to temporarily halt his side’s momentum as Russia continued to stay within a goal of their opponents.

However, Mauricinho was at it again when his clinical finish saw him complete an impressive hat-trick prior to goals from Fernando DDI and Rodrigo early in the third. Russia continued to provide a stubborn resistance in spells, Kirill Romanov reduced the arrears one for Datinha and captain Bruno Xavier to effectively seal the result.

Artur Paporotnyi pulled another back for the Russians with two minutes left on the clock but there was still time for Filipe to atone for his earlier error when he wrapped up the scoring inside the final minute.

In the game’s second day, Jordan Santos grabbed a hat-trick as Portugal opened their BSWW Mundialito campaign with a 5-0 win over France.

In front of a packed stadium at Carcavelos Beach in Cascais, the midfielder’s contribution was decisive while Be Martins and Ricardinho also found the target in a comprehensive victory.

Despite the final scoreline, France started brightly enough and saw the likes of Jeremy Basquaise and Anthony Barbotti prove lively early on as Portugal were frustrated in spells during the first period.

Be Martins was the man to open the scoring and settle any Portugal nerves before the interval while Jordan came into his own during the second frame – registering twice inside the final seven minutes of the period.

As France began to tire, Portugal stepped things up a gear and were four goals to the good when Ricardinho beat Lorenzo Dupin to all but seal the points for Mario Narciso’s men.

And the five-time Mundialito winners wrapped things up inside the final minute as Jordan ensured his hat-trick with a sweet left-footed strike to send the home fans away happy.

Friday results

14:30 – Brazil 9-4 Russia

16:00 – Portugal 5-0 France

Saturday fixtures

14:30 – Brazil v France

16:00 – Portugal v Russia

Sunday fixtures

14:30 – Russia v France

16:00 – Portugal v Brazil

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