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MY BEACH SOCCER 
Verdeamarela rounds a perfect performance after bending Mexico, as Germany beat USA to claim second
Brazil got its third win in as many games and became the undisputed champion of the BSWW Riviera Maya Cup 2014 with its 8-3 win over Mexico. The Green and Yellow also defeated the US on the opening day and Germany in their second match. The loss left Mexico winless in their own tournament but they took Brazil to the brink and also lost a tight one against the USA.
The opening period began with a flurry of defensive tackles that ultimately stopped goals from both sides. There was early penalty shot awarded to Mexico and they snuck the ball past the Brazilian keeper, Mao, to give the Tri the early lead. Brazil, the champions that they are, did not panic and less than a minute later, marched down the field and scored the equalizer with a great individual effort from Mauricinho. Going into the final minutes of the frame the teams were exchanging shots, with both sides striking the posts but the score remained knotted at 1. Despite the strong defensive efforts, neither goalie was tested in the first period. The opening frame ended with a score of 2-1, Mexico, after an own-goal from Brazil.
In the opening seconds of the middle frame, the goalies were asked to play bigger roles as each squad took more and more quality shots on goal. Just over a minute into the period Brazil scored the equalizer on a direct kick to tie the score at two. In the same minute Mauricinho scored his second of the match on a direct kick to give the South Americans their first lead of the match. The fast-paced offenses continued to push the tempo and in the 5th minute, Mexico score an equalizer of their own off of a rebound and the home crowd responded and increased their own energy which seemed to push the Mexican National Selection even more. The Brazilians did not get rattled and notched another goal to restore their one goal lead late in the period. The frame ended with Brazil up 4-3.
As the match wore on, the Brazilians seemed to get stronger and made sure to capitalize on all their chances. They scored twice early in the period to try and distance themselves from the hard fighting Aztec side. Brazil scored two quick goals and then had to wait until the final three minutes to add the nail in the coffin, giving their team an insurmountable advantage. Mexico maintained their attacking ways but could not add to their tally and seceded one more late goal to end the match losing by 5 goals.
The 8-3 win for Brazil was closer than the score indicated but they earned their 9th point of the tournament, which was the maximum possible, and leave the event feeling great about their squad after defeating three very prominent beach soccer teams in Germany, the US, and Mexico. The defeat to Brazil was a difficult one as Mexico played perhaps their best match of the tournament but still came up short. The competition was very elite and it was a great measuring stick of talent for all the nations involved.
Goals: 1-0; Vazquez, min. 10 (1); 1-1; Mauricinho, min. 9 (1); 2-1; Bruno Xavier (own goal), min. 1 (1); 2-2; Bruno Xavier, min. 10 (2); 2-3; Mauricinho, min. 10 (2); 3-3; Juarez, min. 5 (2); 3-4; Digo Gama, min. 3 (2); 3-5; Datinha, min. 8 (3); 3-6; Bokinha, min. 7 (3); 3-7; Datinha, min. 3 (3); 3-8; Rafinha, min. 0 (3).
Germany earns second place in cup
The first match of the tournament left something to be desired for the American and they showed on Saturday that they could play better. Though Sunday was neither a massive defeat or a rousing victory, it was a defeat in which they conceded a three goal lead. The 5-3 win for Germany leaves them feeling great with wins against two very tough teams in Mexico and the US. The loss gives the USA third place after they took a hard fought loss against the champions, Brazil, and earned a tight win against Mexico.
The opening frame was a very aggressive one for the Americans as they put the Germans on their heels and scored in the opening 10 seconds. The Europeans found their footing and withstood more attacks on goal but initially they could not find the back of the net. The US did not find their one goal lead comfortable enough and added another goal, the second of the match for Canale, on a direct kick near the end of the period to double their lead. Another late goal gave the USA a 3-0 lead heading into the first break.
In almost the same way that the Americans did it in the opening period, Germany came out in the second period playing very fast and scored almost immediately after the whistle blew. The goal, off of a corner, brought the German side to within two goals at 3-1. The Europeans were able to make some defensive adjustments and those changes effectively shut down the Americans early in the period. The high energy and hustle was very evident from Germany as they scrambled to get loose balls and it paid off midway through the period as they scored another to get within one goal. Late in the middle frame, the American intensity increased but they were unable to take advantage of the chances and the period ended with a score of 3-2, advantage America.
The final frame began very emotionally charged with both teams charging towards the net and taking very dangerous shots on goal, though early neither side were able to score. Halfway through the all-important final period, Germany struck again, this time on a rocket from their goalkeeper, to level the score at three. Germany was not finished and completed the improbable comeback with a late goal to score their fourth straight unanswered goal. A late penalty kick was awarded to Germany and they did not miss, and added an insurance goal to take a two goal lead. The match ended by a score of 5-3.
The 5-3 win for Germany gives them 6 out of a possible 9 points on the tournament, and their only loss, albeit very soundly, was at the hands of the event champions, Brazil. The defeat for the USA is tough as they played well in the loss to Germany but they still bested Mexico on day two, and in doing so, secured third place.
Goals: 1-0; Canale, min. 11 (1); 2-0; Canale, min. 4 (1); 3-0; Feld, min. 1 (1); 3-1; Monch, min. 11 (2); 3-2; Thurk, min. 5 (2); 3-3; Penke, min. 6 (3); 3-4; Ulle, min. 4 (3); 3-5; Kniller, min. 2 (3).
BEACH SOCCER WORLDWIDE RIVIERA MAYA CUP 2014
Results
Sunday, May 18th, 2014
13:00 – USA 3-5 Germany
14:15 – Mexico 3-8 Brazil
Final standings:
WINNERS – Brazil
Runners-up: Germany
3rd place: USA
4th place: Mexico
Individual awards:
MVP: Bruno Xavier (BRA)
Top Scorer: Mauricinho, Datinha y Rafinha (BRA)
Best goalkeeper: Penke (GER)
