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Verdeamarela and Guaraní top the table in Copa Sudamericana Beach Soccer Recife, while Argentina and Bolivia suffer second defeat
Paraguay comes from behind again for victory
The 9-6 victory for Paraguay over Uruguay was not a shock at the end but watching the first period and a half, it did not look possible. Uruguay began strong, scoring the first three goals of the day but seeing that kind of disadvantage did not deter the eventual victors, who charged ahead late in the second period and continued their dominance in the final frame. Uruguay tried to respond, and did with some late goals, but they were not enough as Paraguay held on for the win. The win gives Paraguay another win after being down early, and another three points, leaving them at the the top of the standings going into their match on Wednesday against Chile. Uruguay was forced to come from behind in their first match but could not muster up the energy to come back again, but they will look to get their second win against Brazil on Wednesday.
Uruguay and Paraguay both had to play from behind on their opening match wins and did not want to do so again, but it was going to happen for one of the teams, though heading into the final minutes of the first period, no one was able to score that first goal. Uruguay went on the attack more often and struck the woodwork on multiple occasion, however lady luck was not on their side. The two teams did not press matters further, wanting to stay conservative and wait for the chance to pounce, and the opening 12 minutes finished with a score of 0-0. Los Charruas began the second period just as fast as the opening frame, but things were different in the second period as they notched a goal on a tap in from Marcelo, to take the 1-0 lead. La Celeste were not finished there as they added two more goals before the Albirroja responded with their first goal, putting the score at 3-1. Less than a minute after their first goal, the Paraguayans added another goal to make the score 3-2, but still in favour of Uruguay. The lead, which had once looked safe, disappeared for Uruguay as the White and Reds scored another two goals to take their first lead at 4-3. Looking like two different teams, the Uruguayans found their scoring form again and scored the equalizer late in the frame, only to see Paraguay counter again, leaving the score at 5-4 for Paraguay.
12 minutes are all that stood in front of Paraguay and another spectacular comeback victory and the Paraguayans started fast, unlike they had in the previous two periods. Pereira scored his second of the match for the White and Reds, to put his side up 6-4. La Garra Celeste showed flashes of brilliance but Paraguay were able to them relatively quiet after their big first period. Amarilla then showed why he is so important to the Paraguayan side, scoring his second goal, making the game come full-circle, from a three goal deficit to a three goal advantage at 7-4. Both sides took advantage of leaks on the defensive end and traded late goals, with Paraguay finally finishing the match up 9-6.
Goals: 0-1: Marcelo, min. 11 (2); 0-2: Marcelo, min. 7 (2); 0-3: Pablo, min. 5 (2); 1-3: Lopez, min. 4 (2); 2-3: Rolon, min. 4 (2); 3-3: Pereira, min. 3 (2); 4-3: Benitez, min. 0 (2); 4-4: Richard, min. 1 (2); 5-4: Amarilla, min. 1 (2); 6-4: Pereira, min. 11 (3); 7-4: Amarilla, min. 6 (3); 7-5: Ricar, min. 5 (3); 8-5: Rolon, min. 4 (3); 8-6: Ricar, min. 3 (3); 9-6: Rolon, min. 2 (3).
Chile gets first win after big second period
Chile’s 4-2 win over Argentina was a comeback that did not rival that of Brazil against Chile in the events’opening match, but it did serve as a bit of revenge for the Chileans who looked at a modest one goal deficit before overcoming the determined Argentina side. Argentina struck first and looked like the more prepared team, but Chile regrouped in the middle frame but then in the end, were afforded the chance to play conservative and did not need to throw more bodies at the Argentinian defense and held on for the win. Chile will take the momentum and confidence they earned and will need it for their match against Paraguay on Wednesday. Argentina will aim for their first win on Wednesday against Bolivia.
Neither side wanted to give an inch, as they both lost in heartbreaking fashion on Monday, when they both held leads, only to fall 7-4. The tentative early play was successful in that the two sides did not allow a goal, but obviously not letting the throttle loose on offense. The mood shifted once the Argentine side scored the first goal on a great give-and-go, punctuated by a Costas finish, making the score 1-0 late in the opening period. Chile was not shy with their physical play and began looking stronger and stronger but the period ended with the Lone Stars being shut out by a score of 1-0. The Chileans continued their tough play but were not striking gold and going into the middle of the match, the Argentinians still held the 1-0 lead. Echeverria changed his teams’fortunes as he chipped in a shot from long distance to tie matters at 1 going into the final minutes of the second period. Goal continued to flow as the teams traded goals before Chile got the last word in the frame and scored to go up 3-2 going into the final frame.
Argentina were down only one goal but looked poised to score the leveling goal but early in the final frame the Chileans held their ground and did not allow Argentina to get into any real rhythm. Los Gauchos began committing more and more men to the attack and it did not prove fruitful as Chile countered and scored the first goal of the final period, pushing the Lone Star lead to 4-2. Chile did not press matters and the safe play payed off as their defense was sound and when the final whistle sounded, Chile clung to a two goal lead at 4-2.
Goals: 1-0: Costas, min. 3 (1); 1-1: Echeverria, min. 6 (2); 1-2: Bolivar, min. 4 (2); 2-2: De Ezeyza, min. 2 (2); 2-3: Ponce, min. 1 (2); 2-4: Echeverria, min. 7 (3).
Brazil explodes offensively for big victory
The Brazilian 11-3 win over Bolivia was closer than most would have expected. Though the hosts looked nervous at times due to the tenacity of the Bolivians, but the former multiple FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Champions did play sound on offense and defense and showed why they are almost always the favourites to win any tournament they play in. The Bolivians may be new to international beach soccer tournaments like this but they refused to give up and still maintained a high quality of play. The win keeps Brazil at the to of the standings with Paraguay and they will look to trend upwards as they face Uruguay on Wednesday. Bolivia will want to secure their first win against Argentina on Wednesday.
Brazil is the godfather of beach and their technique in the early going was evident of that as they used amazing form to get their first goal from Fernando DDI. Bolivia played well enough to limit the Canarinho’s chances, but most of the Bolivian energy was expelled in doing that, thusly limiting their own offensive chances. Heading into the final minutes of the first period, the Green and Yellow had only found the back of the net once, but Sidney doubled their advantage with a great close range strike to push the score to 2-0 going into the second period. The middle frame began with a sense that the Brazilians could explode for goals at any moment but La Verde were not going to let happen easily and they hung on despite the Brazilian onslaught. Brazil scored their third of the match, first from Bruno Xavier, but on the ensuing kickoff, Bolivia slotted home their first to maintain the slim two goal difference at 3-1 for the Verde Amarela. Brazil kept their foot on the throttle but Bolivia did not look like an overmatched team and beach soccer is known for the impossible so when Bolivia score two unanswered goals to put the score at 4-3 for Brazil, only the Brazil faithful were tense. The fear left quickly as Brazil score two more of their own to take a 6-3 into the last 12 minutes.
Bolivia did not end the second period on a high note and the third period began in favour of the Brazilians as well, scoring two more quick goals and snuffing out all of the Bolivian chances. Bruno Xavier harassed the defenders plenty and his third of the day made the score 9-3 in favour of the Canarinho. Bolivia looked to inch back into proceedings but they could not find the breaks they needed. Were it not for some great saves from the Bolivian keeper, the score could have been much more lopsided. Even the great goalkeeping could not stop the Brazilian train and when the final buzzer sounded the score was 11-3 to Brazil.
Goals: 1-0: Fernando DDI, min. 10 (1); 2-0: Sidney, min. 2 (1); 3-0: Bruno Xavier, min. 8 (2); 3-1: Pedro, min. 8 (2); 4-1: Fernando DDI, min. 7 (2); 4-2; Chavez, min. 5 (2); 4-3: Zapata, min. 3 (2); 5-3: Datinha, min. 2 (2); 6-3: Gabriel, min. 1 (2); 7-3: Bruno Xavier, min. 10 (3); 8-3: Gabriel, min. 8 (3); 9-3: Bruno Xavier, min. 8 (3); 10-3: Fred, min. 10 (3); 11-3: Sidney, min. 0 (3).
COPA SUDAMERICANA BEACH SOCCER RECIFE 2015
Match results:
Tuesday, February 3rd, 2015
13:00 – Paraguay 9-6 Uruguay
14:15 – Argentina 2-4 Chile
15:30 – Brazil 11-3 Bolivia
Upcoming matches:
Wednesday, February 4th, 2014
13:00 – Chile vs. Paraguay
14:15 – Argentina vs. Bolivia
15:30 – Brazil vs. Uruguay
