Manta chooses its semi-finalists

Hosts Ecuador will face Paraguay and Argentina will battle Brazil for a ticket to the fight for gold

Ecuador brilliantly earned a place in the semi-finals of the II Juegos Suramericanos de Playa (II South-American Beach Games) they are hosting these days in Manta. ‘The Tricolor’ had a difficult task to carry on with, as they were facing continental runner-ups Argentina in the last group-stage match, and nothing more than a victory would get them in the next round. But Huerta’s side overcame all frights and got their teeth on their opponents, to quickly manage a comfortable advantage which let them face the last period in an easy situation Argentina could not turn around…

Happily for Petrasso and his lads, the ticket to semifinals was already in their hands after Colombia’s extra time win over Venezuela, but the defeat left them in the second position in Group A, what forces them to face Brazil in the semifinals. The Brazilians, in turn, had just confirmed their leading of group B after sending Uruguay home with a new victory (6-3). Brunos’ Xavier hat trick, that confirms him as the tournament’s top scorer so far, was the sweetest news for Guga’s team, which will not be able to count of one of their best players, Andre, after the red card the forward saw in the first period.

Paraguay changed the history of a game which was seemingly destined to give Peru the first points in the competition to get the fourth ticket for the semi-finals. Although at the beginning of the third period Peru raised the score to 2-4,the “Guaraní spirit”, as coach Amancio Mereles pointed, managed an amazing come worth the fight for the medals. Ecuador awaits this Saturday… 

Match results on Friday

Friday, December 9th
16h30: Paraguay 6-4 Peru
17h45: Venezuela 3-4 Colombia
19h00: Brazil 6-3 Uruguay
20h15: Ecuador 6-4 Argentina

Matches for today – Semifinals

Saturday, December 10th
18h00: Brazil vs Argentina
19h15: Ecuador vs Paraguay