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The first games in Almada saw Spain hammer their Japanese opponents and Portugal see off Mexico on home sand
Today saw the first day of the Mundialito Almada 2018, and the stars were ready to provide the crowds of beach soccer fans with exactly what they came for.
Here is how the day’s action unfolded…
Japan vs Spain
There was a lot riding on the first game of the tournament and each team was keen to get an early win in the bag.
The scoring was opened when the Spanish turned around a promising Japanese attack, for Edu to nod in the opener in the eighth minute of the first period. However, it wouldn’t be long before the Japanese had a reply in the form of Okuyama who managed to poke home four minutes later.
The first period ended at one apiece but the Spanish found the net almost immediately in through Antonio. Their lead was extended when Komaki misjudged a pass-back and put the ball in his own net, to put the Spaniards two goals ahead.
It seemed that the Japanese became a little crestfallen, and the Spanish where allowed to run riot in the third period, putting away three more goals, with Antonio getting himself a brace, and Adri Frutos smashing a golazo into the top corner in the eighth minute.
Spain took all three points and, suffering an early defeat, all that the Japanese could do was stick around to see how their rivals-to-be did, as Mexico met Portugal…
Goals: 0-1: Edu, min. 8 (1); 1-1: Okuyama, min. 4 (1); 1-2: Antonio, min. 11 (2); 1-3: Komaki (OG), min. 2 (2); 1-4: Adri Frutos, min. 8 (3); 1-5: Antonio, min. 3 (3); 1-6: Chiky, min. 2 (3);
Mexico vs Portugal
After watching Spain thrash Japan in the earlier fixture, both Mexico and Portugal were looking to emulate the dominance of the Spanish and get their Mundialito campaign underway with a victory.
Drawing a large local crowd, Portugal would feel the advantage of the home support, and took the lead through a Coimbra header, with four minutes of the first period to go. A matter of seconds later, Bé Martins made it two to double Portugal’s lead. The first period finished with the local team enjoying a 2-0 advantage.
But there was a reply from Mexico as soon as the second period got underway. Mosco, the Mexican number five, pulled one back for his team and suddenly the game was anyone’s once more. However, Martins’ day of goal-scoring was not over and he doubled his tally to put Portugal back in control.
After a goalless third period, the Portuguese walked away with a 3-1 victory and go level on points with Spain, who they will meet on Sunday in what could well be the tournament decider.
Goals: 0-1: Coimbra, min. 4 (1); Goals: 0-2: Bé Martins, min. 4 (1); Goals: 1-2: Mosco, min. 11 (2); Goals: 1-3: Bé Martins, min. 7 (2);
Check out all the results, fixtures and standings of the Mundialito Almada 2018, here.
