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The opening day at Viña del Mar was everything that is beach soccer with goals, overtime, and a penalty shoot-out
Argentina wins opening thriller
The penalties 4(3)-4(2) victory for Argentina was a perfect opening match to the tournament as the Argentine side overcame a determined Mexico to claim the first point. In beach soccer and events like this, any win is hard to come by and the Albiceleste were glad to come away with any points. The Tricolor missed a great chance to snatch victory from the favored South Americans. The Mexican side will next face Chile on Saturday with aspirations of taking out the hosts. Argentina will aim for another victory on Saturday, this time against Uruguay.
Defense was on full display in the opening tilt between the South American and Central American powerhouses. The spectacular defending could not stop every shot and the teams exchanged goals in the first frame, at opposite ends of the period, one early and one late, to put the score at 1-1 going into the second leg. Mexico took their first lead of the game early in the middle frame on a goal from G. Gomez. The Mexican Selection then went on a tear, scoring two more times in the period, and shutting out the Argentinians, to take a 4-1 lead into the final 12 minutes of action.
The Argentine squad was not daunted by the task at hand, as they had faced and come back from deficits like this before but they were unable to hit the back of the onion bag until midway through the perio. But when they did, they turned on the after burners, scored twice in the same minute, then hit the equalizer on a blazing strike from Leguizamon in the final minutes. The final goal set the score at 4-4 and though the improbable comeback was far from over, it did send the match into overtime. The extra period was played conservatively as neither side scored but the momentum was clearly with the South Americans. The penalty shoot-out was much like regulation, both teams alternating goals, however Argentina scored on all their attempts and Mexico failed on the final shot. The thriller ended with a score of Argentina 4(3)-4(2) (pen) Mexico.
Goals: 1-0: Medero, min. 10 (1); 1-1: D. Rodríguez, min. 3 (1); 1-2: G. Gómez, min. 8 (2); 1-3: Pichardo, min. 6 (2); 1-4: D. Rodríguez, min. 3 (2); 2-4: Leguizamón, min. 6 (3); 3-4: Medero, min. 6 (3); 4-4: Leguizamón, min. 2 (3).
Penalties: Medero, goal; Rodríguez, goal; Levi, goal; G.Gómez, goal; Costas, goal; D. Rodríguez, miss.
Chilean offense sparks overtime victory
The 7-6 (aet) win for Chile had lead changes, offense, defense, and drama to boot. The hosts went down early but stormed back in a pivotal middle frame, using defense and an array of offensive strikes to take the lead, and held on for the crucial points and victory after a late rally from the guests. The win puts Chile in 1st place in the event, as the other day one winners, Argentina, needed overtime and penalties to overcome Mexico, thus securing only 1 point. The Chile squad will face Mexico on Saturday, looking to solidify their position, while Argentina will look to secure three points against Uruguay on Saturday.
The first period was as face paced as you could ask for and Uruguay was on the right end of the energy. The Uruguayans struck first and often taking the quick 3-2 lead. The middle frame was a different animal as the hosts, Chile, gathered their team and responded with a great second period, and netted the only two goals, one from a spectacular set piece, to take a 4-3 lead. As the momentum had swayed, the tide had turned in favour of La Roja and they took the one goal advantage into the closing frame, 4-3.
Chile rode the momentum into the third period, as the opening minutes looked like they would break things open, however the visitors held strong and kept the score at 4-3, giving themselves a chance for victory. Chile continued to press and had opportunities to score, but could not capitalize. The Chileans held Uruguay scoreless in the second and maintained that stifling defense well into the last period. Chile scored the periods´ first goal and took the seemingly commanding 5-3 lead into the final minutes. At that point, Chile began to pour it on and scored another, putting the score at 6-3, drawing on the home crowds´ energy. A perfectly struck penalty kick by Uruguay brought them back to within two goals at 6-4, late in the frame. Uruguay refused to quit and scored twice, one in the final five seconds, to send the match into an exciting overtime. In the overtime it seemed like everything was going the way of Uruguay, but Chile scored first and stayed in the drivers´ seat for the 7-6 win.
Goals: 1-0: Ricar, min. 7 (1); 1-1: Echeverría, min. 4 (1); 1-2: Ponce, min. 4 (1); 2-2 Pablo, min. 4 (1); 3-2: Richard, min. 0 (1); 3-3: Vega, min. 4 (2); 3-4: Bolívar, min. 1 (2); 3-5: Belaunde, min. 7 (3); 3-6: Vega, min. 4 (3); 4-6: Ricar, min. 4 (3); 5-6: Rícar, min. 0 (3); 6-6: Pablo, min. 0 (3); 6-7: Belaunde, min. 1 (et).
COPA BEACH SOCCER VIÑA DEL MAR 2015
Match results:
Friday, January 23rd, 2015
18:00 – Argentina 4(3)-4(2) (pen) Mexico
19:15 – Uruguay 6-7 (aet) Chile
Upcoming matches:
Saturday, January 24th, 2015
18:00 – Argentina vs. Uruguay
19:15 – Chile vs. Mexico
