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The winning streak continues for Spain and Portugal in the second day of the Mundialito in Almada
Spain ride out a tough first period to muscle the three points from Mexico and Portugal were forced into extra time as Goto ran riot for Ruy Ramos’ Japan.
Spain vs Mexico
Day two of the Mundialito Almada kicked off with Mexico looking to make amends for their loss to Portugal yesterday. However, their opponents were coming into today’s tie with a spring in their step following yesterday’s decisive victory, and Joaquin Alonso’s men were lining up their next victims…
The game flew straight into action, as Spain found the net within three seconds, when Antonio volleyed in a tee-up straight from kick off. But Ramon Raya’s Mexicans found a response and this set the rhythm of the first period as Spain would take the lead only to see it cancelled out. The first period ended with Spain’s slender 3-2 lead just intact.
They managed to extend this advantage to a more comfortable one as the game drew on and five separate players managed to get onto the scoresheet for the Spanish. They managed to hold onto their 5-2 lead after a goalless third half saw Joaquin’s men make it two wins out of two, while Mexico will have to wait until tomorrow for their last opportunity to pick up some points at this Mundialito, when they play Japan.
Spain will meet Portugal in the closing match of the competition tomorrow to see if they can make it nine points out of nine.
Goals: 1-0: Antonio, min. 11 (1); 1-1: Samano, min. 6 (1); 2-1: Dris, min. 6 (1); 2-2: Torres, min. 5 (1); Cintas, min. 1 (1); 4-2: Llorenç, min. 2 (2); 5-2: Chicky, min. 2 (2)
Portugal vs Japan
Mexico had proved tough to crack for the Portuguese yesterday, but Japan went into today’s fixture having lost heavily to Spain in their previous game. Ruy Ramos’ Japanese side were raring to go and when Madjer opened the scoring for Portugal in the ninth minute, they were quick to respond with a goal through their number eleven, Goto.
The first period finished all square and after a fiercely fought second period it seemed that another goal each for Majder and Goto would see the teams going into the break on level terms for a second time.
A gloveless Kawai between the Japanese sticks had made some athletic saves, but in the dying seconds, a foul in the area gave Joao Gonçalves the chance to nudge Portugal in front before the break, which he took to the delight of the packed stadium.
Ramos’ Japan went into the third period trailing but almost immediately, Goto struck once more to secure his hat-trick. Back on level terms the tension grew and as Mario Narciso’s team saw they’re shots whizz past the post on several occasions, the Portuguese crowd utters groans of frustration.
The deadlock remained unbroken until the final whistle, and so the game went to extra time, where Jordan managed to get himself onto the scoresheet to give his team, a very hard-won, two points.
Japan will battle it out with Mexico for third place tomorrow, while the competition will be decided when Portugal meet Spain in the Mundialito’s final fixture.
Goals: 1-0: Madjer, min. 9 (1); 1-1: Goto, min. 5 (1); 1-2: Goto, min. 2 (2); 2-2: Madjer, min. 2 (2); 3-2: Joao Gonçalves, min. 0 (2); 3-3: Goto, min. 11 (3); 3(4)-3: Jordan, min. 2 (ET);
Check out all the results, fixtures and standings of the Mundialito Almada 2018, here.
