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Tight matches saw the visiting El Tri take two wins against their hosts
More friendlies are being organised between the world’s beach soccer nations as qualifiers to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup loom…
Mexico travelled to Guatemala for three such games, which took place at Hawaii Beach, Chiquimulilla, between 22 and 25 April.
In the first match, Mexico went ahead early on, starting the second period with a 3-1 lead, and although Guatemala managed to match their goal scoring for the rest of the match, those early two goals made all the difference as the game finished 6-4.
Once more it was El Tri who were quicker off the mark the next matchday, as Cristofher Casrillo bagged his third of the tournament to make it 2-0 at the break. But the hosts turned the match around with Edwin Lopez scoring twice to clinch the three points for Guatemala.
With one win each, the last tie was a decider for the series, and the most thrilling contest was saved until the last. Mexico built up a four-goal advantage going into the final period, but the last 12 minutes furiously defending it as Guatemala sprang into action. But it was too little too late this time, and although the hosts managed to pull the score back to an heroic 5-4, they couldn’t find the final equaliser and Mexico took a second victory.
As the dominant force on the continent in recent years, Mexico were subjected to three tough battles by their Guatemalan hosts, a clear message that the upcoming Concacaf qualifier in Costa Rica is by no means decided yet…
Which two teams are you backing for a place at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Russia 2021?
RESULTS
22/04 – Guatemala 4-6 Mexico
24/04 – Guatemala 5-2 Mexico
25/04 – Guatemala 4-5 Mexico
Photo: FMF
