British squeeze past Paraguay while Brazil’s first official beach soccer match saw them beat Cape Verde
Wins for Team GB, Russia, Spain and Brazil on day one got the World Beach Games in Qatar off to a thrilling start as the groups take shape.
Great Britain may have gone into their match against Paraguay as many people’s favourites, but Perry Northeast’s ladies had a scare in their opening match, as their European rivals Russia downed USA on the other pitch.
The day’s second fixtures saw Brazil initially struggle against Cape Verde but eventually come out on top, while Spain netted nine to down Mexico.
The day’s matches on Katara Beach kicked off in Group B…
Group B
Paraguay 4-5 Great Britain
Here in Qatar, the England women’s team had the chance to give themselves an international beach soccer reputation as Team GB against Paraguay.
Paraguay won a few early fouls, but the British had the majority of the early shots. The long range efforts kept coming but Team GB just couldn’t find the target and the first game ended at 0-0.
However, the breakthrough came almost immediately after the restart, as Gemma Hillier robbed the defender to power in the first. Minutes later Paraguay were back on level terms when Godoy pounded in a leveler.
But Kempson turned in from close range just seconds before the second whistle, nudging the British in front. There was time for Molly Clark to add another though, as she pounced on a rebounding penalty save.
At the start of period three, Great Britain were three goals to one ahead, but the star number ten added her second, nodding the ball down and between the legs of the keeper.
Just as Perry Northeast’s ladies seemed to be well in control, a surprise double from Godoy within a single minute saw the score reduced to 3-4!
Mara Rolon had the chance to level up again but the number nine blasted her penalty over the bar. However, Mora did find an equalizer with minutes left of the match to play.
But a thunderbolt from keeper Hannah Haughton snatched the game in the nick of time and Great Britain open their World Beach Games account with three hard-fought points.
Goals: 0-1: Hillier, min. 10 (2); 1-1: Godoy, min. 7 (2); 1-2: Kempson, min. 0 (2); 1-3: Clark, min. 0 (2); 1-4: Clark, min. 10 (3); 2-4: Godoy, min. 8 (3); 3-4: Godoy, min. 7 (3); 4-4: Mora, min. 4 (3); 4-5: Haughton, min. 2 (3);
Russia 3-1 USA
Although the game commenced with a thunderous meeting of bodies resulting in a US throw in down the right, the first and third periods of this game between historical rivals were something of a rough battle.
Petrova and Zaitseva were a menacing if largely frustrated presence in the early throws of the match, and Lauren Leslie fired a free kick on goal, which the sand deviated devilishly just wide.
A foul by Scott which caused some discomfort for her Russian counterpart preceded the first changes of the game, and the subsequent free kick was saved comfortably by Lowder in the American goal.
After a goalless first period, Quigley, who would later score the US consolation goal, fired a free kick down the throat of Akylbaeva. The Russian goalkeeper then set herself up for a long-range volley which cannoned off the crossbar, before being forced into a save again herself in a matter of seconds. A passage exemplifying the frenetic nature of this sport.
Russia took the lead through Komarova after she received a backheel on the overlap down the right and drove low into the far corner. Goals quickly thereafter from the threatening Petrova, and Zaitseva took the game beyond American reach.
A quiet third period punctuated by captain Wharton clearing from her own goal line, and a good save from Lowder to deny Petrova, who had only the goalkeeper to beat, eventually petered out towards a positive conclusion for Russia. In truth, the European champions never looked in any real danger of defeat.
Goals: 1-0: Komarova, min. 15 (2); 2-0: Petrova, min. 17 (2); 3-0: Zaitseva, min. 17 (2); 3-1: Quigley, min. 21 (2).
Group A
Mexico 1-9 Spain
The Women’s Spanish National Team won big in the opening day at the World Beach Games Qatar 2019, storming past Mexico to seize the three precious points and snatch the eventual head of Group A.
Spain were in control of the game from the very beginning, and two 3-0 runs in both the first and the second period became the best antidote against the energy and passion by their Mexican counterparts.
Six different scorers pushed the advantage in, Carol González, Sara, Alba Mellado, Laura Gallego, C. Fresneda and Jessi, as Spain ran riot.
With timely attacks, better positioning, and fielding a wider experience, Spain dismantled the Mexican defense to build an enormous distance.
Three more goals in the last period made things absolutely impossible for the Azteca side, who only managed to pull one back in the last minute of the game.
Their next test will come against Brazil, where they will have the chance to draw level on beach soccer’s new-comers.
Goals: 0-1: Carol González, min. 10 (1); 0-2: Sara, min. 8(1); 0-3: Alba Mellado, min. 6(1); 0-4: Laura Gallego, min. 9 (2); 0-5: C. Fresneda, min. 4 (2); 0-6: J. Higueras, min. 1 (2); 0-7: Alba Mellado, min. 10 (3); 0-8: C. Fresneda, min. 8 (3); 0-9: Carla Morera, min. 5 (3); 1-9: Leyva, min. 1(3)
Brazil 7-2 Cape Verde
The Brazilian ladies, despite the fact they were playing in their first official tournament, went into their match-up against Cape Verde as many people’s favourites.
However, it was the gold medalists at the African Beach Games who took the lead first, as Lele Lopes inadvertently turned in her own net.
Cape Verde were in the lead but Nayara bagged a sweet brace before the first whistle went to take the lead for Brazil.
Dos Santos’ ladies moved up a gear in the second period, as Barbara, Jasna and former world best player nominee Lele Villar took the total to five. Rosangela hit Cape Verde’s second but with 12 minutes left to play, they trailed by three goals.
Brazil had found their rhythm by the last period and Adriele got her name on the scoresheet too, while Jasna’s second took the win to 7-2.
Three points in the bag for Brazil, as they go level on points with groupmates Spain.
Goals: 0-1: Lele Lopez (OG), min. 7 (1); 1-1: Nayara, min. 4 (1); 2-1: Nayara, min. 1 (1); 3-1: Barbara, min. 5 (2); 4-1: Jasna, min. 1 (2); 4-2: Rosangela, min. 1 (2); 5-2: Villar, min. 0 (2); 6-2: Adriele, min. 7 (3); 7-2: Jasna, min. 1 (3);
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