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The Catalan side claims first-ever Mundialito after amazingly coming back from 1-4 down against 2011 champions Vasco da Gama
The 4(3)-4(2) penalties win for FC Barcelona over Vasco de Gama was a great display of heart and stick-to-itiveness, with both teams starting slow but eventually finding their grooves on the offensive end. Vasco scored the lone first period goal, and then used that momentum as a spring board in the second period, building their lead but still needing to fight back a tough Barça side. FC Barcelona got on the board in the second period and while still being down, they showed how gritty of a team they can be, by coming from behind again, this time from 4-1. The Catalan club tied the game to send it to overtime and then they were able to force penalties, where they did not miss and their massive keeper, Jo, clutchly stopped one Vasco shot to help earn the title. Vasco de Gama had every opportunity to win in regulation but it was not meant to be as they earned a very respectable second place finish.
FC Barcelona came into the match playing some of their best football so they felt they could jump on top and ride their way to a title, however their early chances went wanting. Even though the Barça offense was not able to score, their solid goalkeeping and defense were able to keep the score level. Vasco de Gama was playing just as solid defense and their offense was asking even more questions but they could not initially score. The intensity continued but it was shot and rebound that confused the Barça keeper, which broke the draw and put Vasco up 1-0 in the final minute of the opening frame. Neither side had anymore quality chances in the period and the first 12 minutes finished with the Brazilian club up 1-0. In the opening of the second period, it was the Catalan club who made a switch at goal, from Dona, the worlds’ best keeper in 2014, to Jo, the current worlds’ best keeper. Like the first period, there were not many early shots and no goals to speak of in the opening of the second frame. The scores did come and in back-to-back fashion as Vasco scored first in the period, then the Cules scored on the restart from Datinha. Vasco began to run away with matters from there, going up 4-1, but in the final minute, it was Llorenç of Barcelona that drew his side back to within two goals, at 4-2 for Vasco, which is how the period would end.
FC Barcelona only needed a minute into the late period to strike fear in the hearts of the Vasco players, as Llorenç scored his second of the day, to make the score 4-3 and leave the crowd just as nervous that their Brazilian compatriots might not have as easy a match as the tally once looked. At the flick of a wrist, well a boot of a direct kick, leveled things, when Bruno Xavier scored for Barcelona, putting the score at 4-4 going into the heart of the final frame. The speed of the match had been steadily increasing and with the score in the finale still tied at 4. The defenses showed their tenacity and skill and the game went into an extra frame with the score at 4-4. The stop-and-start overtime went scoreless thanks to splendid goalkeeping and the game went into the most exciting or depressing moment in all of sports, penalty kicks.
Goals: 0-1: Bokinha, min. 1 (1); 0-2: Catarino, min. 8 (2); 1-2: Datinha, min. 8 (2); 1-3: Marcos Leon, min. 7 (2); 1-4: Bokinha, min. 6 (2); 2-4: Llorenç, min. 0 (2); 3-4: Llorenç, min. 10 (3); 4-4: Bruno Xavier, min. 9 (3).
Penalties: Igor: goal; Ozu: goal; Lucao: goal; Llorenç: goal; Bokinha: saved; Datinha: goal.
Al Ahli claims the third place in Mundialito
Al Ahli has brought on a quantum leap in their international beach soccer status. The Emirati side, one of the most well-known clubs in the football world, have also earned a place in the highest scale of top-class beach soccer, brilliantly clinching the third place in the Mundialito de Clubes 2015. The Red Knights have demonstrated a great level of beach soccer, and a consistent win over carioca side Fluminense, sealed in the penalty kicked shootout, Al Ahli will bring back home a tremendously prestigious third place medal.
With three goals today, prolific striker Rodrigo was in hand again today to help the Emirati manage the score for most of the minutes of the game, as well as to propel himself to the top of the scorers’ chart. The Brazilian-born attacker himself swept the Dubai-based side ahead in the first period, and Al Ahli confirmed their momentary dominance with Haitham’s 2-0. Fluminense tried to counteract, and pulled one back immediately afterwards, but Rodrigo had the distance restored for his side before the second frame was over.
Fluminense finally managed to balance things back in the third period, with Filipi and Daniel wiping the difference off. Everything changed, and came back to be as it was in a drama-packed last minute of the game. Rodrigo, with his third hit today seemed to seal the win for Al Ahli, but almost over the hooter, Fernando DDI tapped the last ball home to send the game to the shootout.
From the 9 meters distance, Al Ahli stayed perfect, and Abbas blocked Bernardo’s attempt to confirm the Emirati as the third best team in this Mundialito de Clubes Beach Soccer 2015.
Goals: 1-0: Rodrigo, min. (1); 2-0: Haitham, min. 8 (2); 2-1: Bryan, min. 7 (2); 3-1: Rodrigo, min. 2 (2); 3-2: Filipi, min. 9 (3); 3-3: Daniel, min. 8 (3); 4-3: Rodrigo, min. 0 (3); 4-4: Fernando DDI, min. 0 (3)
Penalty kick shootout: Fernando DDI, in; Bruno Novo, in; Filipi, in; Jordan, in; Bernardo Saved; Rodrigo, in.
MUNDIALITO DE CLUBES BEACH SOCCER 2015
Matches today:
Sunday 13.12.15
13.30 –Al Ahli 4(3)-4(2) (pso) Fluminense FC (3rd/4th place)
15:15 – FC Barcelona 4(3)-4(2) (pso) CR Vasco da Gama (FINAL)
Final Standings:
WINNER: FC Barcelona
Runner-up: Vasco da Gama
3rd place: Al Ahli
4th place: Fluminense
Individual awards:
MVP: Ozu (FC Barcelona)
Top scorer: Rodrigo (Al Ahli)
Best goalkeeper: Cesinha (CR Vasco da Gama)
