Besides the BSWW Kiev Cup, Guatemala faced Mexico and Turkey took on Russia to keep the ball flying last Saturday and Sunday
The ball in the Beach Soccer universe kept flying vividly during this last weekend, in which, besides the Beach Soccer Worldwide Kiev Cup 2012, some other friendly games took place in different spots all over the World.
In Alanya, Turkey and Russia clashed in a double-leg friendly battle, with each of them taking one win. The Ottoman team is doing great efforts in their training for the upcoming challenges they are facing in a matter of one month, the Euro Beach Soccer League opening and the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2013 – Europe Qualifier, and they are sparing no efforts in getting to Terracina and Moscow in their best version. To do so, there’s nothing better than facing the best teams, and this is what they did this weekend, when taking on World Champions Russia in two friendly games.
Likhachev’s side had quite a bit of problem in managing to bend the mighty Turkish team, and only one goal made the difference in the first of the fixtures, happening on Saturday. After getting 4-1 ahead, the match was yet under control for the World Champions, and although Turkey got close, they could never turn things around.
But the second game was different, and Adil’s side took a great advantage of their opponents not counting on players such as Shishin or Shkarin, together with Leonov, who after scoring two goals had to leave the pitch due to an injury. This time, although Russia got 3-1 ahead, Turkey fought back to send the game into the extra time, and to finally clinch the win from the penalty kick-spot, scoring 5 goals, one more than Russia.
Guatemala 4 – 3 Mexico
Many, many kilometers away, in Guatemala, the surprising Guatemalan National side gave new evidences on their growth by bending CONCACAF rulers Mexico, after a hard-fought game. Although being almost all the time behind the Mexicans on the score, Jaime Véliz managed the winner for the ‘Chapines’ (4-3), thus confirming the sweet moment for the Guatemalan team. Importantly enough, ‘La Bicolor’ won the last International event they were involved in, the Cuadrangular Fútbol Playa de El Salvador, and are quickly beginning one of the cheekiest teams at the CONCACAF region.
