Portugal and Brazil set the bar with comprehensive opening-day victories.
Traditional Beach Soccer Mundialito heavyweights Portugal and Brazil demonstrated their desire to add another title to their haul by recording big wins on the opening day in Cascais.
Champions and hosts Portugal proved a cut above China in a 14-0 success, with hat-trick hero Jose Maria among the star performers as Mario Narciso’s men coped with Jordan’s injury-enforced absence.
Belchior, Be Martins, Madjer and Coimbra weighed in with braces after the Chinese had started relatively well – going close early on as Bai F clipped the post before Wan Ch sent a shot wide.
However, Coimbra registered first, nodding in Alan’s corner, with B. Novo adding a second, acrobatically from a set piece, before Belchior danced through a sea of red to tap home.
Alan and Jose Maria each found the woodwork in a dominant first period for the world champions, with Torres continuing the trend after the restart with a low finish.
The defender was called on to clear off his own line at the other end soon after but Madjer, Alan, Be Martins and B. Novo kept the scoreboard ticking in the hosts’ favour.
Sublime overhead kicks put Belchior and Be Martins on hat-tricks early in the third period while Jose Maria got on target twice in quick succession.
Madjer and Jose Maria’s hat-trick goal wrapped up the scoring on a day that also saw twelve-time winners Brazil run out 8-1 winners against United States as they made their return to the competition after a five-year absence.
Datinha’s treble helped them into a 6-0 lead after two periods and, while Perera got the U.S.A on the board, it was swiftly followed by efforts from Filipe and Mao as Brazil picked up the points in emphatic fashion.
Amid an enthralling opening to the match, Brazil came out strongly – Filipe and Mauricinho both going close – with R. Bokinha opening the scoring by finishing a slick team move.
Lucao doubled the lead with a low finish into the bottom corner and Brazil continued to threaten after the break as Bruno Xavier sent a penalty wide before Filipe’s effort deflected in the sand and hit the crossbar.
It was a clever acrobatic effort from Datinha that made it three before the midfielder struck twice more in quick succession to wrap up a hat-trick inside a minute.
Rafa Padilha kept out a long-range drive from Perera but Fernando Ddi added a sixth as Brazil went into the final period in cruise control.
Perera reduced the arrears for 1998 champions USA with a lobbed finish although, despite a sustained spell of US pressure, Filipe found the target at the other end with a cool finish into the bottom corner.
Goalkeeper Mao got in on the act late on as Brazil finished with a flourish in their quest for a 13th Mundialito crown.
Friday’s results
Brazil 8-1 United States
China 0-14 Portugal
Saturday fixtures
Brazil v China
Portugal v United States
