STORE 
MY BEACH SOCCER 
The final day of action in El Salvador included overtime and a great finale for the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championships El Salvador 2015
The Bahamas finishes strong and in 7th place in CONCACAF
The 9-7 overtime win for the Bahamas over Jamaica went one way and then another, with both sides obviously playing for more than just pride. The Reggae Boyz opened matters up with a goal , but the Bahamas went fought inch for inch and made the match as tight as possible, and no lead was ever safe as the Jamaicans refused to relent in the same way as the Bahamas did not want to. Late rallies dictated this match and the match eventually headed to overtime where the Bahamas regained the lead for good. The win gives the Bahamas a good feeling going forward as they advanced to the semifinals and secured 7th place in a very strong field. Jamaica will be proud of their effort also, securing 8th place in the entire CONCACAF region.
The opening frame was played at rapid pace and both teams scored early, only to see their momentum stop, as the defenses dug in and solidified their strategies. Jamaica got on the board first and took the early 1-0 lead; however, the lead lasted only a minute due to a quick answer from the Bahamas. The period wound down with another score from each side, the last coming from the Rake and Scrape Boys on a penalty kick and the game went into the first break tied at 2. The teams did not want to let up or give the other side any kind of advantage and they exchanged goals again, this time in the opening minutes of the second period. The score remained the same until the halfway point of the match when Williams, of the Bahamas, notched his second of the match to give his side the 4-3 lead.
One of the most back-and-forth competitive matches all week continued to flourish in the final frame and St Fleur, the prolific goal scorer for the Bahamas, netted his third of the match to give the Rake and Scrape Boys the 5-4 lead. Jamaica did not quickly forget the goal and they continued to march and attempt to get the equalizer but they did not see it come in the opening minutes of the final period. The Bahamas scored their sixth of the match and looked to be running away with things, but in the same minute, Jamaica did it again, scoring, to put that score at 6-5 in favour of the Bahamas. The Jamaicans continued their comeback push and took the lead once again, for the first time since the opening frame, by using the third and fourth goals from Benjamin to make the score 7-6 for the Reggae Boyz. The splattering of late shots proved fruitful for the Bahamas as they scored a last minute equalizer making the score 7-7 and heading to overtime. The extra frame was back and forth also, however the slide tilted towards the Bahamas as Christie scored the deciding goal, with the Bahamas adding a late insurance goal, making the final score 9-7.
Goals: 1-0: Benjamin, min. 9 (1); 1-1: Williams, min. 8(1); 2-1: Anderson, min. 1 (1); 2-2: St Fleur, min. 1 (1); 2-3: St Fleur, min. 10 (2); 3-3: Benjamin, min. 8 (2); 3-4: Williams, min. 6 (2); 4-4: Anderson, min. 3 (2); 4-5: St Fleur, min. 11 (3); 4-6: Hanna, min. 7 (3); 5-6: Wilson, min. 7 (3); 6-6: Benjamin, min. 5 (3); 7-6: Benjamin, min. 4 (3); 7-7: Christie, min. 0 (3); 7-8: Christie, min. 1 (et); 7-9: Williams, min. 0 (et).
Trinidad and Tobago displays all-around skill in earning 5th
The 4-3 win for Trinidad and Tobago over Guatemala was a thorough use of energy on both halves of the pitch. Guatemala was on their heels in the opening minutes and were trying to run and catch-up for the entire match. Guatemala had more than enough firepower and weapons to make things tighter, which they did at times, but the Trinidad and Tobago energy and desire was too much. The win for the Soca Warriors puts them in 5th place, a very admirable position among the 16 highly competitive teams that took part in the tournament. The loss was not how Guatemala wanted to finish the event, but a sixth place finish is very difficult in CONCACAF and things could have been very different for Los Chapines had the ball bounced their way earlier in the week.
In a do-or-die fifth place match, Guatemala came out eh more determined side, however, their hunger did not equate to an instant goal like they had hoped. Trinidad and Tobago became renowned for their tenacity in this event and they displayed that like a lion showing his mane for all the world to see, but both sides headed into the final minutes without a goal. The goalless drought abruptly ended when Coker scored for the Soca Warriors putting the score at 1-0 late in the first 12 minutes. The lead could have ballooned higher, but Los Chapines still displayed their signature defense and goalkeeping, keeping matters close. Trinidad and Tobago added a late stabbing shot from Appoo to take a 2-0 lead into the first break. The Guatemalans needed only a few minutes in the second frame to capitalize on a chance that they similarly missed in the opening frame, cutting their deficit in half to 2-1, for Trinidad and Tobago. Both squads turned up the offensive intensity, scoring again the period, but it was Trinidad and Tobago that scored twice more, making the score 4-2 going into the last period.
Los Azules y Blancos still needed to find that much more offense while trying to slow down the Soca Warriors’ offense. The Guatemalans were about to do one of those things, the latter, and the score stayed at 4-2 for Trinidad and Tobago going into the heart of the period. The Guatemalans were far from finished and scored their third goal on the day late in the period to bring the score back to a one goal difference at 4-3 for Trinidad and Tobago. Guatemala could not get any close and a last second bicycle that looked to be the equalizer and the goal of tournament did not fall the Trinidad finished up 4-3.
Goals: 0-1: Coker, min. 4 (1); 0-2: Appoo, min. 1 (1); 1-2: Gonzalez, min. 8 (2); 1-3: Woodley, min. 7 (2); 2-3: Ochoa, min. 5 (2); 2-4: Stafford, min. 2 (2); 3-4: Gonzalez, min. 4 (3).
El Salvador avenges loss to claim 3rd
The 5-2 win for El Salvador over the USA left a good taste in the mouths of the hosts as they narrowly lost their semifinal match and chance to see Portugal for the World Cup, on Friday. The win was even more importance because in the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championships 2013 (FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Tahiti 2013 CONCACAF Qualifier) El Salvador lost to the US in the final. This year both teams were playing for 3rd and El Salvador came out early showing everyone that they were ready. The Stars and Stripes could not find enough offense, especially early and that proved to be the difference in the end. The win had a tinge of what could have been, but it gave El Salvador and their numerous and rowdy fans 3rd place. The United States of America barely missed the cut to make the finals as well but looking at the overall level of competition over the course of the week, a 4th place finish is definitely something to write home about.
It did not take long for the hosts to begin imposing their will on the Americans, as they impressively leapt to an early 1-0 lead and nearly scored two or three more goals before the United States had a chance to catch their breath. The US eventually did and took some chances of their own but the open play left the El Salvadorians with a tight window to score on and Velasquez did just that, putting his side up 2-0 midway through the first period. Los Cuscatlecos would add another score before the period ended and they took a solid 3-0 leadin into the first break. The Yanks were not out of proceedings and a comeback was still a very real possibility if they could overcome the El Salvador defense. In the early minutes of the second period, they were still unable to do that and continued to trail 3-0. The El Salvadorians pushed their lead to 4-0 before the Red, White, and Blue began their assault, scoring two goals in two minutes from Abraham to put the score at 4-2 for the hosts, late in the second period.
The two middle frame goals gave life to the Americans and they continued cruising in the final period, soundly and safely shutting down El Salvador, but once again, the Yanks could not hit the back of the net and for all their efforts, the scored did not shift going into the middle of the period. Los Cuscatlecos found their scoring touch again though, and scored just past the midway point in the closing frame and they took a safe 5-2 lead. The close calls in the second gave El Salvador the scares they needed to not sit back and relax and as the final minutes ticked away, they were still being aggressive and not letting the Americans find enough space to inch closer. When the final buzzer sounded the hosts had clinched the 5-2 win.
Goals: 0-1: Ruiz, min. 11 (1); 0-2: Velasquez, min. 6 (1); 0-3: Batres, min. 2 (1); 0-4: Ruiz, min. 5 (2); 1-4: Abraham, min. 4 (2); 2-4: Abraham, min. 3 (2); 2-5: Robles, min. 5 (3).
Mexico at the top of CONCACAF after win
The 4-0 victory for Mexico over Costa Rica was very convincing from start to finish. The Mexicans played with the same kind of intensity that secured them a spot in the finals, and while Costa Rica matched them step for step in the early going, it was not sustained and Mexico began to pull away late in the first period and early in the second. Los Manitos scored forced and were never forced to face a deficit, while Costa Rica faced a challenge trying to come from behind for the majority of the match. In the end, Mexico stayed strong for the definitive win. The success of Mexico, puts them as the best team in CONCACAF and they look even better now, after their tickets to Portugal for July 2015 for the World Cup were already booked after their semifinal win. Costa Rica surprised some fans with how tough they played all tournament and they still had that fire in the final, but not enough. Los Matacampeones will still be going to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup and finish the qualifier in second place.
Both teams already secured spots in the most coveted beach soccer event, the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, but their emotions in the opening minutes of the first period, showed that either both teams were still riding high from their semifinal wins, or they were naturally that competitive, to no not want to lose at any cost. The scoring did not come as easily as the Aztecs or Los Ticos would have liked, however, Maldonado scored for Mexico in the closing minutes of the frame to give his side the 1-0 advantage going into the first break. Mexico began the second period on the same high note the finished the opening frame, scoring on a shot from Maldonado, his second goal of the match put the score at 2-0 for Los Manitos. Mexico wanted more and could taste the title of CONCACAF’s best, and El Tricolor cemented their place in the lead when they slotted home a third shot, making the score 3-0 with only a few minutes remaining in the period.
The final frame had a more conservative approach for both sides as they did not want to press matters, but Mexico was inherently finding more open space and they were able to capitalize, more so than the Costa Ricans. The match wound down with the Mexicans still holding a secure 3 goal lead, but to be sure they added a late goal, from Rodriguez, making the score 4-0 with only minutes remaining. Costa Rica tried to attack and make things closer, but the Aztecs dropped extra men to prevent goals and keep the shut-out. When the final buzzer sounded, Mexican had earned the 4-0 win.
Goals: 1-0: Maldonado, min. 2 (1); 2-0: Maldonado, min. 10 (2); 3-0: Gonzalez, min. 4 (2); 4-0: Rodriguez, min. 2 (3).
CONCACAF BEACH SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIPS EL SALVADOR 2015 (FIFA BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP 2015 – CONCACAF QUALIFIER)
Results Today:
Saturday 04.04.15
16:30 – Jamaica 7-9 (aet) Bahamas (7th Place Match)
17:45 – Guatemala 3-4Trinidad and Tobago (5th Place Match)
19:00 – USA 2-5 El Salvador (3rd Place Match)
20:15 –Mexico 4-0 Costa Rica (Final)
Final Results:
WINNER: Mexico
Runner-up: Costa Rica
3rd Place: El Salvador
4th Place: USA
Individual Award Winners:
MVP: Maldonado (Mexico)
Top Scorer: Velasquez (El Salvador)
Best Goalkeeper: Estrada (Mexico)
All Match Results:
Saturday 28.03.15
14:00 – Bahamas 10-4 Barbados (Group C)
15:15 – Trinidad and Tobago 8-4 Guadalupe (Group B)
16:30 – Jamaica 7-3 Puerto Rico (Group A)
17:45 – Antigua and Barbuda 1-4 USA (Group C)
19:00 – Turks and Caicos Islands 3-8 Mexico (Group B)
20:15 – Belize 2-17 El Salvador (Group A)
Sunday 29.03.15
14:00 – Guatemala 2-1 Panama (Group D)
15:15 – Trinidad and Tobago 6-2 Turks and Caicos Islands (Group B)
16:30 – Mexico 8-1 Guadalupe (Group B)
17:45 – El Salvador 7-0 Puerto Rico (Group A)
19:00 – Jamaica 8-5 Belize (Group A)
20:15 – US Virgin Islands 1-12 Costa Rica (Group D)
Monday 30.03.15
14:00 – Guatemala 15-2 US Virgin Islands (Group D)
15:15 – Bahamas 4-3 Antigua and Barbuda (Group C)
16:30 – Puerto Rico 1-6 Belize (Group A)
17:45 – Costa Rica 9-5 Panama (Group D)
19:00 – USA 4-3 Barbados (Group C)
20:15 – El Salvador 7-4 Jamaica (Group A)
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 – Guadalupe 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)
Thursday 02.04.15
16:30 – Costa Rica 2-1 Trinidad and Tobago (Quarterfinals)
17:45 – USA 7-3 Jamaica (Quarterfinals)
19:00 – Mexico 5-2 Guatemala (Quarterfinals)
20:15 – El Salvador 6-0 Bahamas (Quarterfinals)
Friday 03.04.15
16:30 – Jamaica 3-9 Guatemala (Playoff for 5th Place)
17:45 –Trinidad and Tobago 4-1 Bahamas (Playoff for 5th Place)
19:00 – USA 3-4 Mexico (Semifinals)
20:15 – Costa Rica 2-1 El Salvador (Semifinals)
Saturday 04.04.15
16:30 – Jamaica 7-9 (aet) Bahamas (7th Place Match)
17:45 – Guatemala 3-4 Trinidad and Tobago (5th Place Match)
19:00 – USA 2-5 El Salvador (3rd Place Match)
20:15 –Mexico 4-0 Costa Rica (Final)
