CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship kicked off

Group C
The day started in Group C with Panama rallying from a 1-0 deficit to claim a 2-1 victory against Trinidad and Tobago. Kareem Perry’s second period goal gave the Caribbean nation a 1-0 advantage, but Panama stormed back with two goals in the third period from Alfonso Maquensi and Julio Watson.

Next up in Group C was the United States, who hit the ground running with a 11-1 triumph over the Dominican Republic. Goals from Nicolas Perera and Ricardo Carvalho earned the U.S. a 2-0 lead after one period.

The U.S. then really got their scoring boots warmed up in the second period with another four goals. Gabriel Silveira, Alessandro Canale and Alvaro Franco etched their names onto the scoresheet, while Perera scored his second of the day.

Another five goals then came in the third period, with Perera completing his hat trick and Franco tacking on another two goals for a hat trick of his own, along with scores from Nicolas Perea and Antonio Chavez.

The Dominican Republic found their lone goal of the game in the third period courtesy of Yan lluberes.

Group A
In one of the most exciting games of the day, Costa Rica fended off a strong challenge from Guadeloupe in an 8-5 win for the Ticos in Group A.

It was 2-1 to Costa Rica at the end of the first period on goal from Jhonatan Sanchez and Roger Mora, while David Bordelai scored for Guadeloupe.

Things stayed close after the second period, with Costa Rica ahead 3-2 thanks to Greivin Pacheco’s score and Guadeloupe scoring through Ricardo Mezence.

The goals started raining down in the third period, as Costa Rica were boosted by a trio of goals from Lonis Calero, plus a second score from Sanchez and a Christian Prado goal. Guadeloupe’s effort came up just shy but not before a second goal from Bordelai and scores from Gary Andre and Stephane Amadiah.

El Salvador also enjoyed a winning start in Group A in a 10-3 final with Turks and Caicos Islands. Jason Urbina, Exon Perdomo and Francisco Velasquez scored to give El Salvador a 3-1 lead at the end of the first period, with Pendieno Brooks scoring for the Caribbean side.

Perdomo added another two goals in the second period, while Velasquez notched his second on top of goals from Heber Ramos and Rogelio Rauda, countering a Billy Forbes goal for Turks and Caicos for an 8-2 lead.

The Cuscatlecos then capped off a strong performance with Velasquez and Urbina scoring again in the third period, while Ledson Jerome gave Turks and Caicos Islands their final score of the match.

Group B
The focus then turned to Group B where Mexico opened with a 4-2 win over Belize. Two goals from Hector Acevedo and a Cristofher Castillo score gave Mexico a 3-1 lead at the end of the first period. Kenen Castillo had the goal for Belize.

Diego Martinez got Mexico’s fourth and final goal of the day in the second period, before Belize wrapped up their scoring in the second period as well through Jaheim Mena.

The final match of the day was a dramatic one, as host nation Bahamas edged Guatemala 5-4 in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw. Juan Flores for Guatemala and Bahamas legend Lesly St. Fleur made it 1-1 at the end of the second period before Miguel Gonzalez scored for Guatemala and Wood Julmis for Bahamas, resulting in the 2-2 draw.

Matters were settled in penalties during which Bahamas GK Michael Butler saved Guatemala’s fifth and final attempt to secure the win.

Source: concacaf.com