El Salvador-Costa Rica and USA-México to determine who will travel to Italy 2011

After a thrilling group stage, the time for the final decisión has come. The semifinals of this FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011 – CONCACAF Qualifier taking place in Puerto Vallarta will point out the following two teams to join the World Cup elite. El Salvador and Costa Rica will fight for the prize, and so will the USA and hosts Mexico do.

El Salvador takes the first place after great comeback over Mexico

A great comeback against hosts Mexico, finished from the 9-meter spot, has given El Salvador the leadership in Group A. That makes two thrilling matches for the semifinals stage of this FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011 – CONCACAF Qualifier, the ones facing the cuscatlecos against Costa Rica (14:45 h. local time), and Mexico against the USA (16:00 h. Local time). This is going to be the time for the final decision, since the winners of these two games, besides getting to the final, wil earn the tickets for the World Cup 2011, taking place in Italy.

México got in control of the game during the first minutes. Barbosa was wiser than his marker and tipped the ball in for the opener in the first period, and a rocket by Hugo López straight to the goalmouth brought the 2-0 up in the scoreboard during the second. But the third period had an unmistakable proper name: Francisco Hernando Velásquez, Frank. Salvadorian’s number 11 scored a hat-trick that took the game to the extra time, regardless Villalobos great hit. With only 10 seconds left, México were ahead, but today was Frank’s day, and his foot brought the equalizer again.

The scoreboard did not move during the added minutes, so sentence was to be passed by the penalty. Reyes was the first shooter, and his ball went accurately in. But Barbosa was not that lucky, and the Portillo guessed where he was aiming and sent the Mexican attempt out of his net, giving the points and the leadership to El Salvador.

Goals: 1-0: Barbosa, min. (1); 2-0: Hugo López, min. (2); 2-1: Frank, min. 5 (3); 2-2 : Frank, min. 5 (3) ; 3-2: Villalobos, min. 5 (3) ; 3-3 : Frank, min. 11 (3)

Penalty shootout : Reyes (El Salvador), in ; Barbosa (México), out ;

Penalty Shootout leadership for the USA

The United States National  Team has ended up this regular stage of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011 – CONCACAF Qualifier as the top team in group B, after their penalty shootout victory over Costa Rica.  The North-American were ahead in the score all through the game, after Gil swept them in front with a left-foot volley, and Futagaki and Xexeo made the score 3-1. But a latter charge by the Costa Rican, with a free kick equalizer by Campos in the very last breath of the game took it to the extra time, and to the penalty shootout.

Precisely, from the 9 meter spot the USA stressed the difference again. Morales missed not, but Chavarría could not do the same, and his powerful shot hit the post and went wide. The lesser of the evils for the Tico, though, since they had already secured their place in the decisive match: tomorrow’s semifinals, in which they are going to face El Salvador. The USA, in turn, will play all or nothing against hosts Mexico (16:00 local time. The winners of these two fixtures will make their way to the final, and to the upcoming FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

Goals: 1-0: Gil, min. 10 (1); 2-0, Futagaki, min. 6 (2); 2-1: Sánchez, min. 0 (3). 3-1: Xexeo, min. 5 (3); 3-2: Sánchez, min. 10 (3); 3-3: Campos, min. 11 (3)

Penalty shootout: Morales (EEUU), in; Chavarría (Costa Rica), out.

Canada snatch their first points against spirited Jamaica

The Canadian National Team finally managed to clinch three points in this FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup – CONCACAF Qualifier 2011. Thanks to a wider experience, the North-American bent the spirited Jamaican side, who despite not having been able to get any points, they have earned the appreciation and respect from everyone thanks to the way they live the game, and how they have turned a serious obstacle for all their opponents up to the matches very last second.

The Canadian side began building their victory in the first period, shaking hands with fortune, when a cross shot by Johnstone was deflected by the sand, hit Davis face, and ended up in the net of the surprised Jamaican goalkeeper, Gray.

Ongaro’s side would extend their advantage at the beginning of the second period, thanks to a great low shot by Hughes, and Dosanjh would raise the 3-0 little afterwards with an accurate header. But if there’s something that have made the Jamaican team so special, it is their combative spirit, exactly the same that took them to shorten the distance in the score. Two hits by bomber Rohan Reid made the score 3-2. Simpson was the one to make the comeback complete, when slotting in a penalty kick committed by the Canadian captain, Xavier.

The match seemed destined to extra time, but exactly the same move that brought the equalizer, but with exchanged protagonists, would bring Canada the winner, and their first three points in the Qualifier.

Goals: 1-0: Davis (o.g.), min. 1 (1); 2-0: Hughes, min. 0 (2); 3-0: Dosanjh, min. 2 (2); 3-1: Reid, min. (2); 3-2: Reid, min. 11 (2); 3-3: Simpson (p), min. 7 (3)

Guatemala win the battle of the rebellious

Guatemala and Bahamas displayed a beautiful fight today, in their last match of this FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011 – CONCACAF Qualifier. Both teams struggled with a common goal, not to let their record unopened and confirm with points the good sensations they have offered on the sand of this Unidad Deportiva Agustín Flores Contreras. But, of course, the points could only go to one hand, and it was the Guatemalan who snatched the prize this time after a leveled fixture with many up and downs in the score.

Bahamas hit first, thanks to Hepple’s aim, somehow stating who the experienced team here was. But Pírez’s lads were not for giving up that early and replied little afterwards. A stroke exchange began then, lasting until mid second period, the moment which Guatemala managed a three hit run to get two goals ahead. Just as the match was, that was a significant prize…

Although Bahamas shortened the distance repeatedly, they always found their rivals’ response to keep two goals up, just in case… Above all, though, what this game set clear, you can bet on it, is that both contenders will come back next year, bigger and stronger, and they will be again a team to be aware of…   

Goals: 1-0: Hepple, min. 0 (1); 1-1: Ávila, min. 4 (1); 2-1 : Hepple, min. 5 (1); 2-2 : Ávila, min. 6 (1) ; 3-2 : Jean, min. 7 (1);  3-3 : Luis García, min. 3 (2); 3-4 : Sáenz, min. 4 (2) ; 3-5: Ávila, min. 5 (2) ; 4-5 : Beneby, min. 10 (2) ; 4-6: Polanco, min. 11 (2) ; 5-6 : Jean, min. 2 (3) ; 5-7 : Polanco, min. 7 (3)

Results

Wednesday         

01.12.10                

Costa Rica  5-2  Bahamas

El Salvador  6-3  Canada 

Guatemala 2-6  USA

Jamaica  2-3  Mexico

Thursday                                                    

02.12.10 

Costa Rica  5-2  Guatemala                                                       

El Salvador 10-8  Jamaica     

USA  6-3  Bahamas

Mexico  3-1  Canada 

Friday              

03.12.10                                                      

Bahamas  5-7 Guatemala

Canada  4-3 Jamaica

USA  3-3 (1-0) Costa Rica

Mexico 3-3 (0-1) El Salvador

Overall standings

Group A

  Group B

Next matches

SEMIFINALS*

Saturday                                   

04.12.10        

14:45 El Salvador vs. Costa Rica

16:00 USA vs. Mexico

PLAY-OFF 3rd / 4th PLACE AND FINAL

Sunday                 

14:45 Loser M13 vs. loser M14

16:00 Winner M13 vs. Winner M14