Hosts take a nervy three points as Senegal record their first Mundualito win
Senegal and Portugal each claimed a tight victory on the second day to keep the group open going into the final day.
Africa’s beach soccer kings denied Spain a second victory at the Mundialito in Nazaré as they rode out a late comeback to go level on points with La Roja.
The hosts suffered a shaky start as Japan had the lead going into the first period, but they slowly dragged themselves back into the game to take their tally to six points and pull ahead of Senegal and Spain who sit on three.
Spain 2-3 Senegal
Senegal suffered a battering at the hands of their Portuguese hosts in their opening match but they got off on the front foot against Spain on day two.
Fall struck a firm shot to open the scoring for the African champions, but the Spanish strikers were asking questions and it was only the agility of Al Senyi between the Senegalese sticks that kept the slim advantage intact going into the second period.
He pulled off even more saves in the next 12 minutes, and just before the second whistle Diagne set himself up for an unstoppable volley, doubling the lead.
Spain hit the woodwork a number of times, including a brilliant Chiky overhead, but just could not break through. Diagne turned into an open net with just three minutes left, but this seemed to jerk Alonso’s men into action.
Chiky tried another overhead and this time it found its target, getting Spain off the mark and within the same minute Javi Torres converted a freekick to make it 2-3.
But the Lions held on and managed to secure their first victory at the Mundialito to draw level with the Spaniards on points after two games.
Goals: 0-1: Fall, min. 9 (1); 0-2: Diagne, min. 2 (2); 0-3: Diagne, min. 3 (3); 1-3: Chiky, min. 2 (3); 2-3: Javi Torres, min. 2 (3);
Portugal 4-2 Japan
Portugal had swept aside their Senegalese rivals the day before and had sights firmly set on keeping hold of their Mundialito crown.
However, they were unable to break through Japan’s defenses in the opening period of their second game, and with just a minute to play, Okuyama put away an Ozu cross to see Ruy Ramos’ men lead at the break.
Unease seemed to spread through the Portuguese ranks, as shots stray shots flew wide and harmlessly into the keeper’s gloves. The crowd were much more subdued than the previous day but suddenly Jordan chipped Shingo to level up to reenergize them.
However, a Coimbra handball in the box was punished when Ozu blasted in the penalty off the underside of the bar and Narciso’s men were behind once more. Ozu then shoved over Belchior at the other end and a second penalty in a minute saw the scores level again.
Before the second whistle, Madjer managed to snatch the lead for the hosts for the first time in the match. And in the final period Von turned to put away a tight shot at the near post and push the advantage to 4-2.
Despite late attacks Japan suffered an identical defeat to that of the previous day, as they remain the only team yet to register a win in the tournament.
Portugal shoot ahead on six points after Spain slipped up against Senegal in the day’s earlier fixture.
Goals: 0-1: Okuyama, min. 1 (1); 1-1: Jordan, min. 7 (2); 1-2: Ozu, min. 7 (2); 2-2: Belchior, min. 6 (2); 3-2: Madjer, min. 3 (2); 4-2: Von, min. 4 (3);
Stay up to date of the fixtures, results and standings of the BSWW Mundialito Nazaré 2019 on the Beach Soccer Worldwide website.
