The defending Concacaf kings add World Beach Games Qualifier cup to their 2019 cabinet
The defending Concacaf kings, Mexico, seem to be in a very sweet shape now, as they confirmed todat by brilliantly claiming the cup at the World Beach Games Qualifier El Salvador.
The Azteca overcame the spirited beach soccer battle brought on by hosts El Salvador, uplifted by more than five thousand fans in the stands of the Anfiteatro CIFCO, to end up grasping a tight win that confirm them as the best team in the competition.
Herber Ramos and Exon swept the Cuscatlecos ahead in the first minutes of the game and, although Maldonado cut the distance in half, Ruben Batres showed that El Salvador were only thinking in the cup, no matter they were already qualified for the World Beach Games.
Notwithstanding, Mexico did not panic, and waited for their moment to counteract. When that moment came, one men stood above the rest: David Vizcarra. The Azteca forward scored three goals that helped Mexico turn that 1-3 into a favourable 5-3.
El Salvador would not stop trying, but Frank’s 5-4 would be the only reward they would find, seeing Mexico escape with the win and seizing the trophy that confirms them as the best team in the continent.
Goals: 1-0: Herber Ramos, min. 8(1); 2-0: Exon, min. 6(1); 2-1: Maldonado, min. 5(1); 3-1: Batres, min. 5(1); 3-2: Vizcarra, min. 1(1); 3-3: Villa, min. 9(2); 4-3: Vizcarra, min. 6(2); 5-3: Vizcarra, min. 9(3); 5-4: Frank, min. 2(3)
USA prevail in goal showdown against Panama to clinch bronze
USA and Panama brought on a terrific beach soccer battle in fight for the third place of this World Beach Games Qualifier El salvador, with the North American side prevailing in a 14-goal fight.
A stunning first stage of the game, with a 5-0 run, allowed the Stars and Stripes command the scare all throughout the game, resisting Panama’s reaction before the first period was over. USA knew how to manage that advantage, trying not to let the Panamanians too close never again.
But the Canaleros’ best man, Alfonso Maquensi, had another plans, and with another hat-trick, one which makes him the top scorer in the competition tightened things up, leaving his side just one goal down.
USA did not lose their temper, though, and Christ Toth and Gabriel Silveira restored the safety cushion for Eddie Soto’s side. Rangel pulled one back for Panama, but USA stood still to seize the third place in this World Beach GAmes Qualifier El Salvador.
Goals: 1-0: Santos, min. 11(1); 2-0: Perera, min. 9(1); 3-0: Tayou, min. 7(1); 4-0: Santos, min. 6(1); 5-0: Reyes, min. 6 (1); 5-1: X. Garcia, min. 3(1); 5-2: Rafael Garcia, min. 2(1); 5-3: Maquensi, min. 1(1); 6-3: Tayou, min. 5(2); 6-4: Maquensi, min. 1(2); 6-5: Maquensi, min. 11(3); 7-5: Toth, min. 9(3); 8-5: Silveira, min. 4(3); 8-6: Rangel, min. 2(3);
Bahamas resist Trinidad & Tobago’s reaction to take 5th
The Bahamas National Team escaped with a narrow 8-7 win to secure fifth place in this World Beach Games Qualifier El Salvador, after resisting Trinidad & Tobago’s late rally. Although the game seemed absolutely under control for the Bahamians, Trinidad & Tobago reacted in the last minutes, and their amazing come-back fell just one short in the end.
Bahamas fielded a very efficient beach soccer since the very beginning, and Joseph and Butler gave Escobar’s side an early 2-0 lead. Trinidad and Tobago never lost face to the game, and tried not to get too far below their opponents during the first two periods.
Things did not work out as they expected, though, as the Bahamians kept controlling the game and widened gat until a 7-2 advantage at the beginning of the last period, and 8-3 seven minutes into it. With only five minutes remaining, it seemed impossible that the Trinitarians could think about of an eventual comeback. But they did, cutting the distance goal by goal only to see their reaction fall one goal short, though.
Goals: 1-0: Joseph, min. 7(1); 2-0: Butler, min. 2(1); 2-1: Bailey, min. 0(1); 3-1: St. Fleur, min. 8(2); 4-1: Christie, min. 5(2); 5-1: Forbes, min. 5(2); 7-2: Williams, min. 9(3); 7-3: Augustine, min. 9(3); 8-3: Williams, min. 5(3); 8-4: Augustine, min. 4(3); 8-5: Bobb, min. 3(2); 8-6: Woodley, min. 2(3); 8-7: Baird, min. 1(3);
Guatemala overcome US Virgin Islands advantage to seize 7th place
The US Virgin Islands were very close to upset Guatemala and clinch their first win at this World Beach Games Qualifier El Salvador, but the Chapines reacted before the end of the game to send the play-off to extra time and, from there, snatch the seventh place in the competition.
William Álvarez, with four goals today, was the key man for Guatemala, specially with his hat-trick in the extra-time of the game. After being ahead in the score for many minutes, the US Virgin Islands could not cope with the Guatemalan late rally.
Goals: 1-0: Miguel Gonzalez, min. 4(1); 1-1: Aranes (10(2); 2-1:Schultz, min. 6(2); 2-2: William Álvarez, min. 6(2); Schultz, min.10(3); 3-3: Morán, min. 3(3); 3-4: Álvarez, min. 2(et); 3-5: Álvarez, min. 1(et); 3-6: Álvarez, min. 1(et)
