Host country Argentina played Paraguay last weekend, July 6th-7th in friendly matches as tune-ups for Tahiti
Practice makes perfect and both Paraguay and Argentina know this. The two countries put their National Beach Soccer teams to the test, litmus if you will, against each other before the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in September. These top-tier squads decided to play two friendlies against one another on top of their other tournaments and obligations so that they could better prepare for and see their direct competition in the world?s most prestigious Beach Soccer competition.
Ezeiza, Argentina National Team headquarters in Buenos Aires, was where both teams split the weekend series in this marquee matchup between two of the world?s best National Beach Soccer teams. Not only are both nations going to World Cup but both are in the same group, Group B, along with The Netherlands and the second OFC team to be determined in the continental qualifiers next August. The first match, played on Saturday, was won by Argentina 4-3, and the second match saw Paraguay rebound and best the hosts by a score of 5-3.
The Argentine side came out strong and scored the first goal of the first friendly. But the Paraguayans would not be denied long as they came right back to level the score at 1. The game went back and forth starting with that opening goal and the teams headed to the third period tied at 2. The third period was immensely exciting as the final two goals, an equalizer by Paraguay and the game winner by César Leguizamón of Argentina, were scored on direct kicks following faults. The Albicelestes won 4-3 but their joy would be short lived.
On Sunday, Paraguay refocused their efforts and played the entire match with a fiery purpose. The Guarani showed this with the scoring of two big goals each from Pedro Moran and José Echeverria. That was enough to spur the road team to a 5-3 victory. The hero from the first match, César Leguizamón, scored one goal in the second game but with only two other goals scored by the defending CONMEBOL champions, they fell short.
After the exciting weekend in Buenos Aires, the Gaurani are going home and next weekend Argentina will follow them to San Bernardino to compete in the Copa Alto Rendimiento del Mercosur (Mercosur High Performance Cup).
