Mexico put up tough fight but just miss out on that top spot while the hosts are still in search of their first points
Day two in Tangshan, China saw an increase in the number of goals from day one and the gap between the teams widen, as Uruguay take three more points against Mexico and China lose to Chile.
Chile v China
Both sides had faced decisive defeats in their first games and so today was a must-win for both if they wanted any hope of finishing on top. But, as always in beach soccer, there could only be one winner…
Daniel Duran struck twice in just a minute to put the Chileans into an early lead, but China struck back once, and then manage to draw level with just seconds of the first half to go, through a Liu Yisi equaliser.
But Chile started the second period in similar fashion to the first, scoring two early goals while China could only find one in response.
In the final period Duran scored his fourth taking Chile’s total to six, which was enough to deny their hosts any points on day two.
Mexico v Uruguay
Wins for these two teams yesterday will have given the players an early confidence boost, but Uruguay took – or were gifted – an early lead when Jesus Mosco put the ball into his own net.
Mexico pulled one back before the first break, but in the second period, a brace from Luis Quinto gave the Uruguayans a 4-1 lead and it seemed that the game was running away from Ramon Raya’s side.
But a spirited comeback saw them come very close to forcing extra time with two last minute goals which brought them back to just a goal behind.
However, that final equaliser never came and Migual Aguirre’s Uruguay go top of the table with six points, while China, yet to get off the mark, remain in fourth.
Can the hosts pick up a win in their final game tomorrow?
Remember that you can follow all the action, including fixtures, results and standings, on the Beach Soccer Worldwide website.
