STORE 
MY BEACH SOCCER 
Corinthians, Lokomotiv, AC Milan and Barcelona clinch the first points in a day to be remembered
Lokomotiv get hard-fought first three points
Despite being one of the favourites, Lokomotiv Moskow found it really hard to clinch the first three points in this Mundialito de Clubes. Cheeky Seattle Sounders, who even got 1-2 ahead by mid second period, proved that competitiveness is one of the clearest features in the tournament. The Russian, though, managed to turn the score around after Yuri Morale’s hit and Borsuk and Shaykov attempts merited their side the final 3-2.
One of the Russian star signings, Romanian Maci, lasted not even 4 minutes to offer a lighting sample of the huge quality his left foot treasures, and his attempt went in for the 1-0. Current CONCACAF MVP, Frank, equalized the score and set clear that Sounders were not thinking about anything but fighting for every single point at stake, no matter the opponent. Even clearest was this message to be sent out when Yuri Morales sent a missile in for the 1-2 that made all Russian alarms go off.
Notwithstanding, the North American advantage lasted just one minute, since Ukranian Igor Bosrsuk balanced the score again. That was not the end of the way for the soviet locomotive, since Shaykov completed the comeback just one minute afterwards. Seattle kept on trying, but they could not find the way to Sidorenko’s nets again, what left the three points in Russian hands.
Goals: 1-0: Maci, min 7 (1); 1-1: Frank, min. 2 (1); 2-1: Yuri Morales, min. 7 (2); 2-2: I. Borsuk, min. 6 (2); 3-2: Shaykov, min. 5 (3).
Amazing ‘Corithianos’ turn difficult score around
Corinthians and Sporting Clube brought a breath-taking spectacle in the second match of this opening day in the Mundialito the Clubes. The Timão lead an amazing comeback against the Portuguese, another of the favourite-tagged sides in the tournament, to earn their first three points and momentarily take the lead in Group A.
Things could not get better for the Lisboan team, since Belchior managed to send a free kick in during the first seconds of the game. The Lusitanian number 10 was today in charge of holding over his shoulders most of the offensive charge of his side, as Madjer had to see the game from the bench due to a muscular injury. Corinthians, backed by a vivid crowd, could equalize the score some minutes afterwards, calming things down. But the second period was absolutely green and white, with DDI and Bruno Xavier raising a two-goal advantage. Luckily for the paulista side, Minici could shorten that gap only seconds before the second break horn.
That was just what Soares’ side needed to see things with another light, and the third period became their territory. They kept pushing and pushing until Buru managed to break the Portuguese resistance for the equalizer. Both teams had made a titanic effort all through the game, and, with every second, it was clearer that the one to score would win the match. It was Corinthians the one in the mood to it, as Juninho confirmed with the winner for his side with two minutes to go.
Goals: 0-1: Belchior, min. 11 (1); 1-1: Juninho, min. 8 (1); 1-2: Fernando DDI, min. 10 (2); 1-3: Bruno Xavier, min. 3 (2); 2-3: Minici, min. 0 (2); 3-3: Buru, min. 3 (3); 4-3: Juninho, min. 2 (3)
Endless penalty shootout gives Milan the points
Up to 20 penalty kicks needed to be shot to decide who the one was to get the points between AC Milan and Boca Juniors. The third fixture of this opening matchday in the Mundialito de Clubes was a new instance of how leveled the matches in this competition can be, and it was only unbalanced after Franceschini missed his second penalty kick. Claudinho would not.
Boca was in command of the score almost all match long, right after Bruno Malias opened the score. Although the Italian stepped equalized the difference and the Argentinean stroke back to widen their advantage and start their dominion. By the end of second period, the Xeneize were 3-1 up thanks to López’s and Franceschini’s hits. Things were turning too uphill for the rossoneri, but the Italian spirit can never be underestimated, and a rushing third period turned things completely around, with Claudinho, François and Stankovic placing a 3-4 that seemed definitive. But it only seemed so, since there was time for a last Argentinean lash, again by Franceschini, to send the match to the extra time.
The score did not move during the extra three minutes, and penalty shootout was to pass sentence of which hands were to keep the two points at stake. But this sentence will last a bit to come, yet, since every single shooter slotted his attempt in. One after another, the ball kept hitting the net again and again, to reach the 19th penalty of the shootout. Then, in his second attempt, Franceschini saw his ball go wide, close to Zanini’s right post, and, for the first time, AC Milan had the chance to finish the game. Claudinho was the one in charge to, and he did not fail in his duty, with a well-aimed left-foot that ended deep in the Argentinean goal.
Goals: 1-0, Bruno Malias, min. 9 (1); 1-1: Juninho, min. 4 (1); 2-1: Víctor López, min. 11 (2); 3-1: Franceschini, min. 6 (2); 3-2: Claudinho, min. 9 (3); 3-3: François, min. 6 (3); 3-4: Stankovic, min. 6 (3) ; 4-4 : Franceschini, min 0. 3 (3)
Penalty shootout : Dallera, in ; Stankovic, in ; Franceschini, in ; Claudinho, in ; Bella, in ; Ahmed, in ; López, in; François, in; Leguizamón, in; Meier, in; Bruno, in; Casarsa, in; Vivas, in; Pasquali, in; Del Mestre, in; Zaninni; in, Dallera, in; Stankovic, in; Franceschini, out; Claudinho, in.
Amazing last second win for Barcelona
Not even the rain that began falling over the Praia de Sol could cast any shadow on the huge spectacle brought by Vasco da Gama and FC Barcelona in the last game of this historic first matchday of the Mundialito de Clubes. Both teams fought passionately and produced lovely beach soccer under the fussy weather. The Catalan side, besides, enjoyed the sweetest closing to such a battle, when turning the score around seeing the 4-5 kissing the net at the same time the horn signaled the end of the game.
Vasco da Gama, with many Brazilian Internationals on his lineup, walked into the game with firm steps. By mid first period, two hits by Betinho and Rafinha raised the 2-0 for the carioca side. At that moment, it seemed difficult that FC Barcelona could counteract. Although they tried to keep the control of the ball, minutes did not stop passing by, and the first hit for the Azulgrana was not arriving… Until the sixth minute in the second period, FC Barcelona did not find their deserved prize. It was Shishin, who was to be absolutely decisive later on, the one to equalize the score for the first time with the first two goals of his hat-trick today.
The Brazilian side would get ahead again by mid third period, getting a two goal distance that, with just five minutes to go, seemed maybe too much for Barcelona. But exquisite Azulgranas, in a magic four last minutes not only neutralized the carioca advantage but completed an unbelievable comeback in the very last second, with Javi Torres tiptoeing the ball in to finish the last effort for his team.
Goals: 1-0: Betinho, min. 7 (1); 2-0: Rafinha, min. 2 (1); 1-2: Shishin, min. 6 (2); 2-2: Shishin, min. 5 (2); 3-2: Bruno Xavier, min. 5 (3); 4-2: Pampero, min. 5 (3); 4-3: Gabriel (og), min. 4 (3); 4-4: Shishin, min. 1 (3) 4-5: Javi Torres, min. 0 (3);
Today’s results:
Sat, March 19th
8h30 – Lokomotiv Moscow 3-2 Seattle Sounders
10h – Corinthians 3-4 Sporting Portugal
11h15 – Boca Juniors 4 (9)-4 (10) Milan
12h 30 – Vasco 4-5 Barcelona
Matches for tomorrow:
Sun, March 20th
8h30 – Lokomotiv Moscow x Santos
10h – Flamengo x AC Milan
11h15 – Vasco da Gama x Boca Juniors
12h30 – Corinthians x Seattle
For furthe information (in portuguese) you can visit www.mundialitodeclubes.com.br
