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The 3rd and 5th place matches left no doubt as to who the winners were, with Uruguay and Argentina pulling away from Bolivia and Chile
Uruguay bests Bolivia again and earns 5th place
The 10-6 win for Uruguay over Bolivia was much different than their first meeting in Recife earlier in the week, but the score did not reflect that. The teams used the opening minutes of the game to feel each other out but unlike the first contest, Uruguay jumped out quickly, taking a commanding lead before allowing Bolivia to inch back closer, though the Bolivians did not have enough energy left to complete the large comeback. The win gives Uruguay two over the course of event, both over Bolivia, but more importantly gives them 5th place among some of the best South American teams. Bolivia was unable to secure a win, which was frustrating because they played extremely well in every match but could not finish matches, and that is partly due to their inexperience. This was the first international beach soccer event for Bolivia.
Uruguay and Bolivia wanted to finish the match on a high-note and knew they were going to be in for a very close and contested match. 5th place was on the line and the two sides were eagerly chasing the first goal but in the early minutes there were no connections. Richard of La Celeste, took it upon himself to open the scoring and did so midway through the frame, giving his side the early boost and confidence that comes with a 1-0 lead. The Uruguayans began to look very comfortable and that led to their next goal, on a direct kick strike from Ricar, to give Los Charrúas a 2-0 advantage. Ricar nailed home another strike in the final minute of the frame to give his side the 3-0 lead going into the middle frame. Defense went out the window in the early minutes of the second period as the Bolivians got their first two goals to get back into the proceedings, however they did allow one more, putting the score at 4-2 for La Garra Celeste going into the heart of the frame. Uruguay continued to dominate possession and the created more and more chances and they capitalized on three more of them, while giving up one more to La verde, making the score 7-3 going into the last break.
Bolivia got a quick spark in the opening seconds of the third period when they were awarded a penalty and connected to get back within three goals, though still down 7-4. The action did not slow, however the goals did as neither squad could get into a rhythm in the final frame and the score stayed at 7-4 going into the final minutes of the game. La Verde made things even more interesting when they slotted home another penalty kick and got back to within two goals, their closest since the opening frame, at 7-5. Uruguay added a security goal to make sure they snuffed out Bolivia’s dreams of a comeback. Hope is not easily killed and Bolivia still believed, especially after Zambrano scored his third goal putting the score at 8-6. The Uruguayans countered again though and scored the final two goals of the match, leaving the score at 10-6 after the horn sounded.
Goals: 1-0: Richard, min. 7 (1); 2-0: Ricar, min. 2 (1); 3-0: Ricar, min. 0 (1); 3-1: Zapata, min. 11 (2); 4-1: Maxi, min. 9 (2); 4-2: Guardia, min. 9 (2); 5-2: Ricar, min. 3 (2); 6-2: Maxi, min. 3 (2); 6-3: Zambrano, min. 1 (2); 7-3: Nico, min. 0 (2); 7-4: Zambrano, min. 11 (3); 7-5: Pedro, min. 4 (3); 8-5: Richard, min. 3 (3); 8-6: Zambrano, min. 2 (3); 9-6: Matías, min. 1 (3); 10-6: Marcelo, min. 0 (3).
Argentina turns things around for 3rd place finish
The 8-2 win for Argentina over Chile was a big slice of revenge as Chile defeated Argentina 4-2 earlier in the week and in fact, Argentina lost their chances of winning the BSWW Tour – Copa Beach Soccer Viña del Mar following a defeat to La Roja. Argentina started slowly, but just a bit quicker than Chile, as they shut out the Lone Stars until the final minutes of the middle frame, but only scoring two first periods of their own. The flood gates opened at the end of the second period with Argentina pushing their lead to as many as six goals. Chile scored late to try and mount a heroic comeback, but it was far too little, far too late. The win gives Argentina 3rd place after finishing strong despite their slow start to the week. Chile finished the round robin stage very strong after having three wins and 9 points but they finish the overall tournament in a respectable 4th place.
The two sides are really strong in defense and the opening of the first period showcased that as neither side could score, but luck was not on their sides offensively with many shots hitting the framework. The Argentinians struck first on a great touch stemming from spectacular distribution and that goal sparked the Chileans into action, forcing them to play less conservatively. The aggressive attacks did not prove fruitful for the Lone Stars and in fact a late free kick goal gave the Albiceleste a 2-0 lead going into the middle frame. Argentina began the second period by controlling possession and limiting their own mistakes while forcing the Chileans into turning the ball over. The two sides could not find the back of the net going into the final minutes of the frame, with the score still sitting at 2-0 for Los Gauchos. Sirico put his Argentine side in a great position when he volleyed home a shot that put them up 3-0, nearing the final minutes of the period. On cue, Chile awoke and got a boost they needed when they hit a precise free kick, to get on the scoreboard at 3-1. Argentina felt uneasy about letting Chile get back into matters and they added two more late goals to take a big 5-1 lead into the final period.
Chile had played with so much energy all week that they knew they could get back into proceedings again, however the sound defense of Argentina was making it difficult. That defense helped lead Argentina to another goal when they turned a solid stop into a counter attack that saw Leguizamon put the finishing touch on a great passing sequence to put the Argentines up 6-1. The patience and accuracy of Argentina’s passing was nearly perfect and it paid off again for Leguizamon has he scored his sides’seventh goal, and his second, to put Argentina up 7-1. The Chile squad hit another shot home, only to concede an even later Argentine goal and the final buzzer sounded with Los Gauchos up 8-2.
Goals: 0-1: Levi min. 4 (1); 0-2: Sirico, min. 0 (1); 0-3: Sirico, min. 4 (2); 1-3: Ponce, min. 3 (2); 1-4: Cuevas, min. 2 (2); 1-5: Medero, min. 1 (2); 1-6: Leguizamon, min. 9 (3); 1-7: Leguizamon, min. 5 (3); 2-7: Echeverria, min. 2 (3); 2-8: Hilaire, min. 0 (3).
COPA SUDAMERICANA BEACH SOCCER – RECIFE 2015
Match results:
Saturday, February 7th, 2014
09:00 – Uruguay 10-6 Bolivia (5th Place Match)
10:15 – Chile 2-8 Argentina (3rd Place Match)
Upcoming matches:
Sunday, February 8th, 2014
09:00 – Paraguay vs. Brazil (Final)
