Mexico, El Salvador, USA and Costa Rica will fight for the tickets

Costa Rica earns place in semifinals

Costa Rica have been the first ones to place themselves into the semifinals of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011 – CONCACAF Qualifier, after a third-period victory over battler Guatemala. The newcomers became a serious contender for the current runner up, and after a leveled, goalless first period, Garcia even managed to sweep them ahead. That was somehow a waking slap for the Tico squad. Two minutes afterwards, they had turned things around and took the lead of the game. The Guatemalan side, though, had not had their last say and Avila balanced the scoreboard again.

The work done so far was not enough for Costa Rica, who needed to gear up if they wanted to secure their place in the fight for a ticket to the World Cup. The Tico were absolutely aware of that and speeded up for the first minutes to end the game. Sánchez, completing his hat-trick, and Adrian made the score 5-2. This victory places the Costa Rican in the decision day, the tournament semifinals next Saturday, to fight for one of the slots for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011.

Goals: 0-1: García, min. 4 (2); 1-1, Sánchez, min. 4 (2); 2-1: Leon, min. 5 (2); 2-2 : Ávila, min. 8 (2) ; 3-2: Sánchez, min. 1 (3); 4-2: Sánchez, min. 2 (3) ; 5-2: Chavarría, min. 3 (3).

Slight difference in goal frenzy puts El Salvador into last four

El Salvador have also secured they will be fighting for one of the tickets to next FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup next Saturday, after the spectacular fight they have held against Jamaica. The final result, 10-8, makes the fixture between Salvadorians and Jamaicans the most goal-prolific of the tournament so far, and becomes a new good instance of what Beach Soccer is about… The game was also the confirmation of the power of the reggae over the sand, after the first sign they gave yesterday against Mexico. Although no points stand on their record, the beach soccer and strength displayed by Price’s lads is worth to be praised, especially after the wonderful moments they have brought onto the sand of this Unidad Deportiva Agustin Flores Contreras. They can be really proud of their work…

Both teams exchanged strokes during the first period, but it was the animous Jamaican side the one to hit first, thanks to Rohan Reid. Although Ruiz managed the equalizer for his side, Rohan Reid kept on his scoring vein to make the score 1-3. Rudis Gonzalez’s team needed to react before it was too late, and fortunately for them Hernández and Frank did the job for their team.    

After such a hard-fought first stage, the Salvadorian squad began a three-goal run at the beginning of the second period to earn a good advantage they could maintain for good. Jamaica could not strike the cuscatleco hits until the third, period, but it was somehow too late for them, since every time they cut the distance down, El Salvador replied to restate their safety cushion. All in all, though, the attempts by both sides turned the game into a thrilling fight, and Jamaica was always close enough in the score to keep uncertainty until the final horn.   

Goals: 0-1: Rohan Reid, min. 1 (1); 1-1: Agustin, min. 1 (1); 1-2: Rohan Reid, min. 4 (1); 1-3: Rohan Reid, min. 5 (1); 2-3: Hernández, min 7 (1); 3-3: Frank, min. 8 (1); 4-3: Agustin, min. 6 (2); 5-3: Membreño, min. 6 (2); 6-3: Frank, min. 7 (2); 6-4: R. Reid, min. 11 (2); 7-4, Hernández, min. 2 (3) 7-5, Davis, min. 2 (3); 8-5: Frank, min. 2 (3); 9-5, Frank, min. 5 (3); 9-6: Andre Reid, min. 6 (3); 9-7: Rohan Reid, min. 6 (3); 10-7: Agustin, min. 9 (3); 10-8: Rohan Reid, min. 10 (3).

The USA also jump onto the final ring

The USA National team will also be one of those to bet it all on the turn of a card next Saturday, after securing their presence in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011 – CONCACAF Qualifier semifinals. To earn the six points that place them on top of Group B’s table, Soto’s lads have got rid of a Bahamian squad that tried to make things difficult, but who could not stand the North-American pace in the third stage.

Although first goal lasted to come, it seemed that the USA would not have many problems to handle the game, and although Beneby equalized the score, Gil immediately extended their advantage to 3-1. But things turned darker when Hanna and Jean raised the 3-2 and 3-3 at the end of the second period.

There was not much time left for Soto’s squad, which at that time had absolutely turned into the ball owners. Finally, Chimienti took advantage of a rebound from the Bahamian goalkeeper and tapped the ball in for the momentary winner for his side. Already without so much pressure, the USA built a bigger distance in the score, thanks to Morales and Ibsen, to level their way to the semifinals out.

Goals: 1-0: Chimienti, min. 9 (1); 1-1: Beneby, min. 0 (2); 2-1: Gil, min. 0 (2); 3-1: Gil, min. 1 (2); 3-2: Hanna, min. 8 (2); 3-3: Jean, min. 10 (2); 4-3: Chimienti, min. 2 (3); 5-3: Morales, min. 8 (3); 6-3: Ibsen, min. 10 (3)

Mexico will not miss the battle

Hosts Mexico have also earned their place among the best four in this FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011 – CONCACAF Qualifier. The Aztecan side has displayed solid beach soccer to bend Canada in the last match today, constructing the victory from a tight defense to a well-aimed attacking front. Only the match tomorrow against El Salvador will sort out who is to become the group leader.

The Mexican side jumped onto the sand in the Unidad Deportiva Agustín Flores Contreras with one thing on their mind: conceding no chances to Canada. And they managed to, wrapped up by a devoted and noisy crowd. Leaning on solid foundations, Raya’s team looked forward, entitling Antonio Barbosa for the opener right in the fifth minute of the initial period.

Mexico were confident, determined, with their goal fire-marked on their heads and hearts, and although Xavier equalized the score, the perfect blend of the players’ concentration and the passion from the stands worked absolutely well. So it was, that just a minute afterwards Rosales brought advantage back for the hosts, disarming all Canadian work. Ongaro’s lads saw their expectations finally crushed right before the second horn, due to a great personal move by Hugo López.

Goals: 1-0: Barbosa, min. 5 (1); 1-1: Xavier, min. 8 (2) ; 2-1: Rosales, min. 9 (2); 3-1: Hugo López, min. 11 (2)

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 

Overall standings

Group A

  Group B

Next matches

Friday              

03.12.10                                                      

12:15 / 18:15 Bahamas   vs.  Guatemala

13:30 / 19:30 Canada  vs.  Jamaica

14:45 / 20:45 USA  vs.  Costa Rica

16:00 / 22:00 Mexico  vs.  El Salvador

SEMIFINALS*

Saturday                                   

04.12.10        

14:45 1^st Group B vs. 2^nd Group A

16:00 1^st Group A vs. 2^nd  Group B

PLAY-OFF 3rd / 4th PLACE AND FINAL

Sunday                 

14:45 Loser M13 vs. loser M14

16:00 Winner M13 vs. Winner M14