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MY BEACH SOCCER 
Two great games under the rain have the Supercopa das Naçoes running
Stout win over Mexico gives Italy first points in Santos
Italy began the Supercopa das Nações Beach Soccer 2016 with the right foot, following a solid win over Mexico in the tournament’s first game.
The Azzurri proved today that they are still in great shape after the demanding European season, including a terribly contested World Cup Qualifier.
In absence of Gori, Palmacci and Zurlo carried the scoring responsibility for the Transalpine, with the latter opening the score for Agostini’s lads midway first period.
Mexico found it hard –or impossible- to contest the Italian dominion, and things would get worse for them in the second frame. Just four minutes into the middle leg, Ramacciotti and Di Palma widened the gap, making the score 3-0.
Italy kept things under control until the final whistle, with Palmacci firing home the 4-0 in the las frame of the game, thus confirming Italy’s stout victory over an overwhelmed Azteca side.
Goals: 1-0: Zurlo, min. 6 (1); 2-0: Ramacciotti, min. 9 (2); 3-0: Di Palma, min. 8 (2); 4-0: Palmacci, min. 9 (3)
Brazil snatch last point at stake from the 9 meters
Brazil needed the penalty kick shootout to come out as the winners of their game against surprizing Japan. A game which Gilberto’s side saw get very difficult in the last stages.
The match had a terrific pace, and each ball was fought as if it was the last one, even in the first minutes of the game. Japan kind of surprised the hosts, as they fielded a balanced battle during the whole game.
During the first twelve minutes, Brazil wanted to own the ball, and most of the goal chances fell on their side. But the Samurai played hard, as well, and made life really difficult for the hosts, making it very clear that they were ready to punish any single mistake by Gilberto’s men.
Bruno Xavier finally managed to break the Nippon deadlock, thanks to a free kick, two minutes before the period was over.
Japan kept fighting, trying to do harm on the Brazilian rearguard, and Iso equalized the score in a second period in which Brazil’s territorial dominion had been even scarcer. 1-1 by the end of second leg.
But the biggest emotions were still to come. A thrilling third period saw the Brazilians up, then the Japanese command, to finally see a late equalizer by Catarino that sent the game into extra time.
Nothing happened in the supplementary, and the game moved to the penalty kick shootout. There, a brilliant performance by Mão, saving two of the Japanese efforts, was key for the hosts, who claimed the point at stake after Lucão and Bruno Xavier’s well-aimed attempts found the Nippon nets.
Goals: 0-1: Bruno Xavier, min. 2 (1); 1-1: Iso, min. 7 (1); 1-2: Mauricinho, min. 10 (3); 2-2: Ozu, min. 9 (3); 2-3: Goto, min. 9 (3); 3-3: Mão, min. 7 (3); 3-4: Bokinha (og), min. 7 (3); 4-4: Catarino, min. 3 (3);
Penalty kick shootout: Ozu, missed; Lucão, in; Goto, in; Mauricinho, missed. Tabata, missed; Bruno Xavier, in.
