STORE 
MY BEACH SOCCER 
Everything to be defined in group B, with FC Barcelona, Al Ahly and Sporting keeping chances alive
Sporting Portugal rebounds by defeating Levante
The 8-6 win for Sporting over Levante was in doubt for much of the match, but after a tight and tense first period, the teams took on a breathless pace in the second and third periods. Levante took the lead on two separate occasions and were looking very comfortable before Sporting stormed ahead and built a 7-3 lead before settling on the very sound win. The win was the first for Sporting Clube de Portugal after they were disappointed with their opening day loss to Al-Ahli. The win gives them three points and they are still in the running for the semi-finals, but they will need to finish the group stage strong against FC Barcelona on Friday. Levante was forced to come back in both their matches but could not fully come back in either and their very strong effort is proof that they will be a tough match for Al-Ahli FC on Friday.
Sporting Clube de Portugal had their offense on full-dispay in the opening minutes, but much like their opening match, Levante UD was content and very skilled in their tactic to stay back and defend. The first half of the opening twelve minutes came and went without a goal but the two clubs were determined to get their first win. Juanito tremendously took control of the match as he scored for the Spanish club, giving Levante their first lead of the day at 1-0. Sporting was able to find a spectacular equalizer and level the score at 1-1 going into the first break. After the side change, the two teams went on a goal spree, alternating goals, six to be exact, in a short span of only a few minutes, and the score settled late in the frame to 4-3 for Sporting. The Portuguese club took their first lead at 3-2 and were able to hold Levante down after that, earning the 4-3 lead going into the final frame.
The Leões had not been able to pull away in any of their matches but they were able to get a bit of daylight when Goto scored his second goal of the day. The Goto goal was set-up beautifully by Nelito and it pushed the score to 5-3 for Sporting. The Spanish club needed to come back on the opening day, only to see their efforts fall short in overtime, but they did not have to come back from a two goal deficit, but that did not slow down their intensity. A converted penalty kick from Rashed, his second goal of the match, put the Portugal club up by three goals, their biggest of the day, at 6-3 heading into the last half of the period. Levante did not give up even as they were down 7-3, specifically Pablo, who netted the next two goals to put the score at 7-5 for Sporting in the final minutes of the game. The clubs would not finish there as they both added another goal, leaving the final tally at 8-6 for Sporting.
Goals: 0-1: Juanito, min. 2 (1); 1-1: Rashed, min. 0 (1); 1-2: Jhony, min. 8 (2); 2-2: Ricardinho, min. 8 (2); 3-2: Goto, min. 7 (2); 3-3: Jhony, min. 7 (2); 4-3: Juninho, min. 6 (2); 5-3: Goto, min. 9 (3); 6-3: Rashed, min. 7 (3); 7-3: Nelito, min. 6 (3); 7-4: Pablo, min. 6 (3); 7-5: Pablo, min. 5 (3); 8-5: Rashed, min. 4 (3); 8-6: Miralles, min. 3 (3).
Barcelona comes back to earn dramatic victory
The 4-3 win for FC Barcelona over Al-Ahli was exciting and thrilling for both sides even though it ended poorly for Al-Ahli. The UAE’s top club was able to jump ahead 3-0 in the first half of the first frame, but they could not find the back of the onion bag again. FC Barcelona stormed back and showed their grit in earning their second straight win, and both coming in dramatic fashion, with this match having the last goal come in the last minutes. The second victory gives Barça 5 points, three more today to go along with their two from the OT victory on Wednesday. The Catalan side is still not through as they need to win tomorrow against Sporting Clube de Portugal. Al-Ahli is still alive with their three points but they will need a win against Levante UD on Friday to be safe.
Al-Ahli did not need long to impose their will, seven seconds, with Coimbra showing tenacity and fight to claim the goal and give the UAE side the 1-0 lead. Barcelona had many picture book chances that just went missing and Jordan, one of four Portuguese Nationals on the UAE side, scored his first, slipping by the Catalan clubs’ defense to put the score at 2-0. The Emirati club would score again before the period ended, but they also gave up one amazing goal from distance by Ozu. The period would end with Al-Ahli up by a score of 3-1. The Cules were not going to take the match lying down and they scored six seconds into the middle frame, one second better than how Al-Ahli started the match, to make the score 3-2 in favour of the side from Dubai. The sides battled back and forth, but another goal was not struck in the frame and the dramatic match went into the final frame with a score of 3-2 for Al-Ahli.
Amarelle has been playing amazing beach soccer for almost 20 years, knew his team needed something to spark them, so he utilized one of his signature bicycle kicks to level things at 3-3 as the match hit the halfway mark. Al-Ahli may have started fast but they were looking for answers as they had given up three straight goals, and were looking for their first goal since the closing minutes of the first period. It was Ozu and Barça who came up big with the second goal for the Japanese National Team star, making the score 4-3 for the Spanish club with only minutes left. Barcelona was able to stave off the Al-Ahli attacks and when the final hooter sounded, Barcelona won 4-3.
Goals: 0-1: Coimbra, min. 11 (1); 0-2: Jordan, min. 8 (1); 0-3: Hamada, min. 4 (1); 1-3: Ozu, min. 3 (1); 2-3: Datinha, min. 11 (2); 3-3: Amarelle, min. 9 (3); 4-3: Ozu, min. 2 (3).
Vasco bend Corinthians for semi-finals berth
Vasco became the first semi-finalist of the Mundialito de Clubes beach soccer, following their stout win over defending champions Corinthians, always in combination with Fluminense win over Flamengo later on. The Gigante da Colina was again a rocky team today, and left the Timão little option. Just when Corinthians seemed to be regaining control, Vasco da Gama reacted to seal a prestige victory and the ticket to the best-four round.
Corinthians needed a consistent performance today to try to erase the memories of their first game in the Mundialito, in which they loudly lost to Fluminense (7-2), but things were apparently not going to be easy for them today, either. Only two minutes into the game, Rafinha swept Vasco ahead, but the Timão could counteract immediately, with Rodrigo Souto’s equalizer within the same minute. Lucão, key man for the vascaínos today, scored the firs of his three hits today to have the Gigante da Colina ahead again.
That goal spurred Vasco’s dominion in the match, specially felt during the second period. In that middle frame, Bokinha, and Lucão again, added for a 0-3 run that left the score 1-4 for the carioca side. Corinthians tried to react in the third period, with two goals in the first half of the frame, but their reaction flied no further, as Lucão and Cesinha widened the gap once again, to leave the score 3-6. Vasco’s win, together with Fluminense upsetting Flamengo in the other game of the group today means that both Vasco and ‘Flu’ seal go-through to the next round, whereas defending champions Corinthians and defending runner-ups Flamengo are left out of the race.
Goals: 0-1: Rafinha, min. 10 (1); 1-1: Rodrigo Souto, min. 10 (1); 1-2: Lucão, min. 9 (1); 1-3: Bokinha, min. 7 (2); 1-4: Lucão, min. 5 (2); 2-4: Be Martins, min. 9 (3); 3-4: Anderson, min. 6 (3); 3-5: Lucão, min. 4 (3); 3-6: Cesinha, min. 0 (3)
Fluminense upset Flamengo to earn place amongst the best four
No matter what happens from now on, Fluminense can rightfully be considered the dark horse in this Mundialito de Clubes Beach Soccer. In just two days, the newcomers to the competition have stayed perfect to beat defending champions Corinthians, and defending runner-up Flamengo, thus securing a place within the best four teams in the competition.
Flamengo cannot say they had not been warned beforehand… Flu’s win over Corinthians yesterday clearly showcased what the Tricolor are capable of, with experienced players such as Daniel or Fernando DDI, and new, electric talents. After a goalless first period, it was precisely one of those honoured Brazilian internationals, Daniel, the one to open the score. Dmais replied before the second frame was over, trying to keep Fla in the fight.
But Fluminense were determined to go on with their triumphal march, and two new goals in the last stage of the game secured the three points. The final 1-3 carried a lot of meaning, as it meant the semi-finals for Fluminense in the first ever participation in the Mundialito de Clubes, at the time it meant the elimination of Flamengo and the go-through for Vasco, as well. Tomorrow, Fluminense and Vasco will square off for the head of the group.
Goals: 0-1: Daniel, min. 8 (2); 1-1: Dmais, min. 2 (2); 1-2: Vinicius, min. 7 (3); 1-3: Filipi, min. 4 (3)
MUNDIALITO DE CLUBES BEACH SOCCER 2015
Matches today:
Thursday 10.12.15
12.00 – Sporting Clube Portugal 8-6 Levante UD (Group B)
13.15 – FC Barcelona 4-3 Al-Ahli Club (Group B)
14.30 – SC Corinthians 3-6 CR Vasco da Gama (Group A)
15.45 – CR Flamengo 1-3 Fluminense FC (Group A)
Upcoming matches:
Friday 11.12.15
12.00 – Al-Ahli Club vs Levante UD (Group B)
13.15 – FC Barcelona vs Sporting Clube Portugal (Group B)
14.30 – CR Vasco da Gama vs Fluminense FC (Group A)
15.45 – SC Corinthians vs CR Flamengo (Group A)
