Argentina and the USA were unable to earn victory but 3rd place will be on the line on Saturday
Slow but steady performance keeps Portugal undefeated
The 4-1 triumph for Portugal over the USA was in flux and doubt for much of the day. The Americans surprised the Portuguese by scoring first and in the opening minutes of the match. Portugal remained calm and stuck to their game plan, eventually tying the game in the middle frame before taking command in the last period. The win is the second in two days for Portugal and they stay unbeaten. Portugal will look to win their final match on Saturday against the hosts. While the USA is winless they will look to beat Argentina in the last matchday of the Copa Pilsener.
As the underdog, the USA had no pressure and that all fell on the Portuguese side. With that in mind it should be no surprise that the Americans came out firing and scored first, living it all to do for the European side. The Yankees matched the World Champions step for step and the score stayed at 1-0 going into the final minutes of the opening frame. While the current World Cup Champions have been around the block, the found themselves in on familiar territory still looking at a one goal deficit going into the meat of the match. At that point B, Novo put Portugal on his back by scoring the equalizer. Both defenses continued to look in and the score remind level going in to the final break as neither team was able to score again in the middle period.
After all the nerves had settled the sturdy back lines found their groove and early in the final period the score sat at 1-1. With the game hanging in the balance Jordan nailed home his first goal giving Portugal their first lead of the day at 2-1. Despite not scoring since the first period The Stars and Strips looked confident and able to tie matters, but Portugal was able to fully recover from the opening goal and shut down the Americans. Portugal finished the match with a flurry of goals to distance themselves and earn the emphatic 4-1 Victory.
Goals: 0-1: Canales, min. 10 (1); 1-1: B. Novo, min 7 (2); 2-1: Jordan, min 8 (3); 3-1: Madjer, min 4 (3); 4-1: Jordan, min 2 (3)
El Salvador scores big in 2nd to win and keep pace
The 7-3 win for El Salvador over Argentina was slow to develop but it was exciting from start to finish. The visitors silence the fans early but a strong showing in the second period propelled El Salvador to the secure win. 3 goals from Frank and 2 from the goalkeeper Herbert were enough to give the hosts their second consecutive win and it keeps them tied with Portugal heading into their epic battle on Saturday. Argentina will aim for their first victory against the USA on Saturday.
El Salvador nearly gave up a big lead on Thursday so they knew that they should strike first against the very determined Argentina side. But to their credit the South Americans held strong and did not allow El Salvador to initially score, and the score was 0-0 going into the middle of the period. The scoreboard did not shift until the final minutes of the frame when both teams notched goals, but it was a second strike from Frank that put El Salvador up to 2-1 heading into the first break. The Albiceleste were beginning to play desperate, specially after two more back to back goals from the hosts making the score 4-1 early in the second period. Those were only the start as the Salvadorian goalkeeper score two more on his own making the score 6-1 going into the final minutes of the frame. Argentina was able to get one back putting the score at 6-2 heading into the final break.
The final frame began with the home crowd excited as ever and the stadium got even louder when Frank score his third, making the score 7-2 early in the final period. Argentina did not change their physical play but could not stop the Salvadorian attacks. El Salvador continued to press and that left their defense vulnerable and Argentina pounced, however the score was still 7-3 going into the final minutes of the match. When the last whistle was sounded El Salvador had earned the 7-3 victory.
Goals: 0-1: Holmedilla, min. 4 (1); 1-1: Frank, min. 4 (1); 2-1: Frank, min. 3 (1); 3-1: Heber, min. 10 (2); 4-1: Agustin, min. 9 (2); 5-1: Ramos, min. 6 (2); 6-1: Ramos, min. 4 (2); 6-2: Federico, min. 2 (2); 7-2: Frank, min. 7 (3); 7-3: Punzetti, min. 3 (3);
COPA PILSENER FUTBOL PLAYA 2016
Friday 25.03.16
15.00 – Portugal 4-1 USA
16.15 – El Salvador 7-3 Argentina
Saturday 26.03.16
15.00 – Argentina vs USA
16.15 – El Salvador vs Portugal
