Japan catches Spain by surprise in seonc matchday of the Mundialito and makes the road to the cup much harder for La Roja
The Portuguese National team keeps playing at an awesome level in this XVIII Mundialito they are hosting in Vila Nova de Gaia. Following a laudable victory over Italy, the Lusitanians remain on top of the table, a position they do not share with anyone after Spain?s defeat to Japan in the first match of the day.
It was not easy for Narciso?s side to get hold of the control of the game. Despite Torres swept the hosts ahead, Soria and Corosiniti turned the score around, silencing a terribly loud stadium. José Maria came to the rescue within the same first period, balancing the score back one minute before the hooter.
After that, Portugal make the most of their momentum, and widened the gap to 5-2 with two more hits by the tournament?s top scorer, Nuno Belchior, and another one by Bruno Novo.
The Azzurri were unable to counteract the Portuguese effectiveness, and found no ways to Hidalgo?s nets. Time was running out, and the door was getting narrower and narrower for Italy, who could only pull one goal back in the last breath, thanks to Dario Ramacciotti.
Portugal, with six points, has earned the right to look the rest of the pack from above, but this position means little for the hosts, as a defeat to Spain tomorrow could mean the cup fleeing to the hands of the neighbours.
Goals: 1-0: Torres, min. 11 (1); 1-1: Soria, min. 8 (1); 1-2: Corosiniti, min. 5 (1); 2-2: Jose Maria, min. 1 (1); 3-2: Belchior, min. 6 (2); 4-2: B. Novo, min. 3 (2); 5-2: Belchior, min. 5 (3);
Japan upset Spain to earn first points in the Mundialito
Japan caught Spain by surprise to earn three historic first points in the XVIII Mundialito Futebol Praia. The result, besides, brings even more excitement to an already thrilling competition.
The game kicked-off in a really busy fashion. Spain could immediately neutralize Yamauchi?s opener. Llorenç netted the 1-1 just seconds afterwards to get things back on the right track for the Spaniards, in a first period in which great saves at both ends got the scoreboard untouched.
But in the second period, two new thrusts by Matsuo and Yamauchi gave the Asian runner-ups a consistent lead, one that the European would not be able to counteract.
The game was being played at a really high pace, with none of the contenders easing off a bit. And that, under the intense sun in Vilanova de Gaia, made the fight even more remarkable.
It took Spain some minutes to stand up again after the two slaps received in the second period. Pajón cut the distance midway into the third period, and the Spaniards got ready for the final assault, targeting a comeback that would have got them in a very comfortable position for the decider against Portugal tomorrow. But Ozu would not let that happen, and thundered a terrific free kick home for the final 2-4 that would secure the Nippon a historic first victory in the Mundialito.
Despite goal-average makes it impossible for Ruy Ramos? side to head for the cup, the Japanese left the stadium today with the pride of having edged the defending champions of the European Qualifier for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
Goals: 0-1: Yamauchi, min. 9 (1); 1-1: Llorenç, min. 9 (1); 1-2: Matsuo, min. 7 (2); 1-3: Yamauchi, min. 3 (2); 2-3: Pajón, min. 7 (3); 2-4: Ozu, min. 0 (3)
BSWW MUNDIALITO 2013
Friday, 26th of July, 2013
13.05 ? Spain 5-1 Italy
14:20 ? Japan vs Portugal
Saturday, 27th of July, 2013
13.05 ? Spain 2-4 Japan
14:20 ?Portugal 5-3 Italy
Games for tomorrow:
Sunday, 28th of July, 2013
13.05 ? Italy vs Japan
14:20 ?Portugal vs Spain
