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MY BEACH SOCCER 
USA, Mexico, and Costa Rica join El Salvador as group winners heading into knockout stage
Panama rightly earns first win
The 11-2 win for Panama over the US Virgin Islands was never really in doubt but the US Virgin Islands hung tough in the early going, only to see The Red Tide create their own and chances, and build a big lead. The Panamanians surged ahead in the first period and had no need to fret as they created a safe cushion for themselves. The win gave Panama their first win in the group stage, albeit on the last day, though their steady performance today will serve as a springboard to their upcoming events. The win gives them 3 points and 3rd place in Group D. The loss was another tough one for the US Virgin Islands though their frustration never boiled over or showed, as they remained calm and competitive. The US Virgin Islands finishes the competition with 0 wins or points, and 4th place in Group D-.
The US Virgin Islands had yet to lead in a match but they opened their final match of the tournament with a real drive to not only win, but also to get on the board first. Panama was not about to allow that just to happen and they pushed their own agenda on the US Virgin Islands, but neither side budged and the score remained level at 0 going into the heart of the opening period. The Panamanians quickly put to rest the idea that they would be playing from behind when they slotted home a shot near the midway point in the period and then again they scored twice late in the period to take a 3-0 lead into the first break. Panama did not let up and continued to open up their offense and used their superior experience to add to their big lead. The US Virgin Islands did get on the board, but they were already down 6-0, the goal from their Captain, Leto, did breathe life into the side, but it was not enough to draw any closer in the frame and the second period ended with Panama up 7-1.
The Panamanians really took their opening losses hard and they made sure they left no doubt in this match as they did not let up for one second. The US Virgin Islands steadily increased possession and began adding up chances on goal, however, they were unable to get back into the match, with their shots constantly being saved, hitting the goal posts, or missing just wide and high. The two teams grew comfortable in their own playing style and were running back and forth, on the attack and on defense, but after 36 minutes of playing time, La Marea Roja had overwhelmed the underdogs and came away with the11-2 win.
Goals: 1-0: Obregon, min. 7 (1); 2-0: Bultron, min. 3 (1); 3-0: Obregon, min. 0 (1); 4-0; Quintero, min. 10 (2); 5-0: Bultron, min. 10 (2); 6-0: Rivas, min. 8 (2); 6-1: Leto, min. 7 (2); 7-1: Quintero, min. 5 (2); 8-1: Del Cid, min. 10 (3); 9-1: Barrera, min. 9 (3); 10-1: Powell, min. 7 (3); 11-1: Bultron, min. 5 (3); 11-2: Leto, min. 0 (3).
Antigua and Barbuda finishes third in group after win
The 10-7 victory for Antigua and Barbuda over Barbados has much to do with the gigantic second period they had. They started the match quicker, scoring twice early, only to give up four straight goals to the Bajun Pride, but the middle frame changed the entire complexion of the match. In the middle 12 minutes, the eventual winners, scored the only goals in the period, and it was six. The half dozen goals put Antigua and Barbuda up big and they had all the lead they needed. The win was the first of the event for Antigua and Barbuda and it puts them in 3rd place in Group C. Barbados played insanely well in their previous against the US and this let-down came on the back of that heart-breaking loss, and it puts them in 4th place in the group.
Barbados and Antigua and Barbuda were not playing for a spot in the next round, they had already been ousted, but their matches were all, unsurprisingly, close and they wanted to end on a high note regardless. Antigua and Barbados quickly came out firing on all cylinders, scoring on a strike from their talismanic leader, Murray. The Bajun Pride would not be outdone and they quickly responded with a goal of their own, taking the score to 1-all. Wanting more, both sides floundered the opposing defenses in scoring another goal apiece, putting the score at 2-2, but Antigua and Barbuda were not done, scoring another two late period goals to give them the 4-2 lead going into the first break. The tides shifted again, this time in the second period, when Barbados again found the back of the onion bag, twice, to knot the score at 4 going into the heart of the period. The goals were coming in clusters for both teams, almost at a pace of two each time, but Antigua regained control of the match at 6-4 on two screamers in the middle of the frame, and the period would end with a score of 8-4.
Antigua and Barbuda felt safe but almost no lead is safe in beach soccer, especially against such an up-and-coming squad like Barbados, and the leaders tried to make sure they had a big enough lead, scoring early, but the next three goals came from the trailing team, putting the score at 9-7 for Antigua and Barbuda. The scare was real as the Bajun Pride were exercising their might once again and the momentum was clearly if not fully on the side of Barbados. The lead was just enough, as Antigua and Barbuda held on for the much closer than expected, after the second period, and final tally was 10-7 for Antigua and Barbuda.
Goals: 0-1: Murray, min. 11 (1); 1-1: Grazette, min. 9 (1); 2-1: Bourne, min. 7 (1); 2-2: Miller, min. 2 (1); 2-3: Dublin, min. 1 (1); 2-4: Hughes, min. 0 (1); 3-4: Grazette, min. 11 (2); 4-4: Bourne, min. 11 (2); 4-5: Bleau, min. 7 (2); 4-6: Carr, min. 6 (2); 4-7: Murray, min. 2 (2); 4-8: Carr, min. 1 (2); 4-9:Walters, min. 11 (3); 5-9; Boxill, min. 9 (3); 6-9: Jones, min. 8 (3); 7-9: Grazette, min. 7 (3); 7-10: Hughes, min. 2 (3).
Guadeloupe runs an offensive clinic for 1st win
The 9-3 triumph for Guadalupe over Turks and Caicos was impressive from a defensive standpoint, but also offensively as well. Guadeloupe needed only a few minutes to take the lead and start the rout. The score did not indicate how tough Turks and Caicos fought and even so, they made multiple attempts at comeback pushes, they just could not get over the hump. The win was the first for Guadeloupe and leaves them in 3rd place in the group. The Turks and Caicos Islands finished the event without a win, though their group was very difficult. They finished in 4th place in Group B.
Guadeloupe got the taste for goals early in the match as they tried to run away from the competition, taking the quick 2-0 lead. Turks and Caicos weathered the storm and a blocked penalty shot was evidence of how hard it can be to score on Turks and Caicos, but Guadeloupe quickly forgot about the missed goal and scored again, taking a 3-0 lead late into the period. Guadeloupe was looking like a team at the top of the table, not the bottom, and they scored again in the first 12 minutes, leaving the score at 4-0 going into the second period. Turks and Caicos once again showed their determination in scoring their first goal on a perfectly placed penalty kick, but the goal only brought Turks and Caicos back to within four goals, at 5-1. Scoring slowed but it was in part to playing each other for nearly half an hour and learning the stylings of the other teams and the period ended with Guadalupe up 6-2, after a late goal from each side.
Turks and Caicos never stopped fighting but they could not get ahead of the curve, with Guadeloupe constantly having one more person on defense, or being just one step quicker, but the early minutes of the final frame did not see a goal from either side. That all changed with more goals from Guadeloupe, and another strike for Turks and Caicos. The energy was very high and the physicality did not stop despite the score being seemingly out of reach. That same intensity from Guadeloupe stayed the same and even intensified as they wanted more goals and their confidence grew. When the final buzzer sounded, Guadalupe had came out on top, victorious by a score of 9-3.
Goals: 1-0: Granchi, min. 9 (1); 2-0: Bourgeois, min. 8 (1); 3-0: Phirmis, min. 5 (1); 4-0: Folin, min. 2 (1); 5-0: Petit, min. 8 (2); 5-1: Magny, min. 5 (2); 5-2: Magny, min. 1 (2); 6-2: Phirmis, mon. 0 (2); 7-2: Granchi, min. 8 (3); 8-2: Crimee, min. 7 (3); 9-2: Shillingford, min. 6 (3); 9-3: Slattery, min. 5 (3).
Costa Rica escapes with win and 1st in group
The 4-3 win for Costa Rica was an emotional and up-and-down match for both sides with the lead changing hands with ties aplenty. Costa Rica took the lead first gave it up and then went up again, ceded the lead again, only close out matters, in which there was no lead bigger than 1 goal after the first quarter and the biggest lead was a whopping two goals. There was no definite winner in any period, with both sides displaying prowess of their own, but in the end, Los Metacampeones came out on top. The win gives Costa Rica 1st place in the group. Over Guatemala, who will also still advance to the quarterfinals with Costa Rica.
The battle for first was just as it was billed, thrilling back and forth, and had some amazing shots and blocks in the opening minutes. Neither side was able to score but as the stands filled, so did the energy on the pitch. The first goal was scored by Los Ticos and it was one of the best from all week, an overhead from close range.The Guatemalans were very tight on defense but another spectacular bicycle put the Costa Ricans up 2-0. Guatemala scored there first goal of match, which cut the lead in half, and sent the game to the first break with Costa Rica up 2-1. The impressive start from the two squads continued into the second, with Los Champines tying the match at 2, but a mere two minutes later, Jhonson took it upon himself to restore order for Los Matecampeones, putting them at 3-2 for the good, going into the final frame.
Guatemala was not going to go down without a fight and they struck first in the final period, tying the game again, this time at 3. The see-saw battle continued as Costa Rica took the lead back, as is they owned it and Guatemala was trying to steal it. Thinking completely the opposite, Guatemala pushed and trudged their way through the Costa Rican defense, only to come up empty time after time and the score remained 4-3 for Los Ticos going into the final minutes. In a rapid paced games that no one wanted to see end, Costa Rica found a way to hold on for the 4-3 win.
Goals: 1-0: Leon, min. 4 (1); 2-0: Pacheco, min. 1 (1); 2-1: Moran, min. 0 (1); 2-2: Saenz, min. 6 (2); 3-2: Jhonson, min. 4 (2); 3-3: Quezada, min. 11 (3); 4-3: Downer, min. 9 (3).
The United States finishes run in group stage undefeated
The 6-2 win for the USA was a great display of their ability when they are clicking. They played great defense, had solid touches on offense and were able to complete their runs. The US took the early lead and was able to subdue the attacks from the Rake and Scrape Boys. The Bahamas did make things interesting with an early goal in the third period, though it was not enough to take down the Americans. The win gives the US first place in the group and they will advance to the advance as the number one for Group C. The Bahamas will be playing in the quarterfinals as well, but the loss means they will play as the runner-up in the group.
The United States began the match faster than they did their previous two and the score reflected that. There was not a hangover from the previous win against Barbados, when they were pushed to the brink. The first two scores came on the backs of Valentine and Leopoldo, but the Bahamas stood their ground and stopped the bleeding. The Rake and Scrape boys could not find the back of the net however and the match went into the middle frame with the Stars and Stripes up 2-0. The Bahamas began pressing the Yanks and nearly came away with multiple goals, but instead were left with none and in a quick turn of events though, Feld scored the third goal for the United States and they clutched the lead going into the final minutes of the period.
The Bahamas were not going to cede things to the Red, White, and Blue, and the notched their first goal early in the frame, leaving them only down by two goals, at 3-1. Griffin had a response for the Yanks, pushing the lead back to three goals. The Americans upped their energy and the goal posts and Bahamas goalie proved to be formidable forces as they did not hit the back of the net again until the final minutes, when Valentine scored his second and third goals of the match to put things out of reach for the Bahamas. The last whistle sounded with the USA up 6-2.
Goals: 1-0: Valentine, min. 10 (1); 2-0: Leopoldo, min. 8 (1); 3-0: Feld, min. 10 (2); 3-1: St Fleur, min. 10 (3); 4-1: Griffin, min. 5 (3); 4-2: St Fleur, min. 3 (3); 5-2: Valentine, min. 3 (3); 6-3: Valentine, min. 1 (3).
Mexico capitalizes to take 1st in group
The 4-0 win for Mexico over Trinidad and Tobago was an amazing match that needed to wait until the final day of group day for excitements’ sake. Both teams were antsy to get the win and first goal, but it was Mexico who navigated through the Soca Warriors’ defense to take the early lead. The lead ended holding up through the entire match, but the tension was there throughout as Trinidad and Tobago nearly scored on bunches of chances to level the score, or draw closer as the Mexicans took a late lead. The goals never came and Mexico earned the tough win, 1st place in the group, and even more confidence for the next round. Trinidad and Tobago finished 2nd in the group and will still be playing come Thursday, in the quarterfinals.
Mexico had played a great opening two matches and they did not want to disappoint their fans, the crowd, or themselves, so they opened the match with the first goal, on a direct kick from Rodriguez, putting the score at 1-0. The Trinidad and Tobago side had also been very impressive in their opening to the event and even though they were on the wrong side of the first period score, they fought and did well to stop the Mexicans in their tracks after the one goal and they match went into the final minutes of the period with the same score, 1-0 for El Tricolor. A one goal lead is never safe for any team in beach soccer and the tension and pressure in the second period showed that, as Mexico was on their heels, tensely feeling the need to score again but not open up their back lines. The Soca Warriors fought and fought but could not find the equalizer as the game wore on into the final minutes of the period. Both teams needed a goal, Trinidad and Tobago that much more than the Mexicans, but the goal did not come in the middle frame game and the match went into the final frame with Mexico up 1-0.
Mexico, a team favoured to be one of the top two teams in the entire region, were playing tough beach soccer all match but it took their captain, Cati, being fouled in the penalty area to find their scoring touch again, for the first time since the opening 12 minutes. The well struck penalty kick was just what the Mexicans needed as they did not let up on defense but they found the safety goal they needed, though they needed more and still could not relax. The comfort level was somewhat reached when another penalty was awarded to and they nailed the shot home, leaving the score at 3-0, and with the way their defense was playing, that was was a big enough lead to breathe easy. When the final buzzer sounded, Las Aztecas had earned the 4-0 win.
Goals: 1-0: Rodriguez, min. 11 (1); 2-0: Cati, min. 10 (3); 3-0: Maldonado, min. 7 (3); 4-0: Rodriguez, min. 0 (3).
CONCACAF BEACH SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIPS EL SALVADOR 2015 (FIFA BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP 2015 – CONCACAF QUALIFIER)
Results Today:
Tuesday 31.03.15
14:00 – Panama 11-2 US Virgin Islands (Group D)
15:15 – Barbados 7-10 Antigua and Barbuda (Group C)
16:30 – Guadeloupe 9-3 Turks and Caicos Islands (Group B)
17:45 – Costa Rica 4-3 Guatemala (Group D)
19:00 – USA 6-2 Bahamas (Group C)
20:15 – Mexico 4-0 Trinidad and Tobago (Group B)
Upcoming Matches:
Wednesday 01.04.15
Rest Day
