Mundialito de Clubes gets to its last group-stage day with many things to decide yet
Lokomotiv storm past Botafogo to lead Group A
Lokomotiv Moscow is starting to look like a potential Mundialito de Clubes champion, after a new solid beach soccer display today. The Muscovite bent another of the big names in the competition, Botafogo, without giving the Carioca side any real option to challenge their dominance.
Yet in the first period, Lokomotiv earned a wide advantage, with the first two goals of their key man today, Nelito, plus Nikinorov’s contribution. Besideds that, Botafogo saw Chuzkhov deny their clearest goal chance, with the Russian goalkeeper brilliantly saving Bernardo Botelho’s penalty kick attempt.
Lokomotiv kept marching solidly in the second period, doubling the advantage with Nelito’s third, Nikonorov’s second and Stakovic’s first to make the score 6-0.
Botafogo could not find the way to stop their opponent’s offensive prowess, and saw things get even worse when Makarov tapped the 7-0 in just one minute into third leg. Be Martins added his name to the scorer’s list too, worsening Fogão’s wound.
Jefferson and Igor pulled two back for Botafogo in the last stage, but that effort was way too little too late to try and change things. The defeat means the the Carioca lose all chances to make it to the final of this Mundialito de Clubes, while Lokomotiv gets to the highest place in the table.
Goals: 0-1: Nelito, min. 4 (1); 0-2: Nikonorov, min. 3 (1); 0-3: Nelito, min. 1 (1); 0-4: Nelito, min. 8 (2); 0-5: Stankovic, min. 7. (2); 0-6: Nikonorov, min. 5 (2); 0-7: Makarov, min. 10 (3); 0-8: Be Martins, min. 9 (3); 1-8: Jefferson, 7 (3); 1-9: Llorenç, min. 4 (3); 2-9: Igor, min. 2 (3)
Benjamin Junior-led Flamengo survives early scare to clinch new win at Mundialito
CR Flamengo overcame Levante’s opener to secure a new win in the Mundialito. The Rubro negro had to counteract the Spaniards advantage, but knew how to get in control of things before it was to late to keep on top of the table in Group B.
Like-father-like-son Benjamin Junior was in hand for the Carioca side, helping his team past the mighty Spaniards with three goals that eventually make him the top scorer of the competition, with five goals (same as Lokomotiv’s Nelito).
First leg had a red-and-blue tone, with German striker Christian Biermann nodding his team ahead in the last stages. But as of the second period began, Flamengo got hold of the game, turning score around and making it 3-1.
Levante tried to stop that, with Pablo’s 3-2, but the Carioca side were feeling confident, and hit three more times to build a comfortable 6-2 advantage.
Javi Torres pulled one back for Levante, but things were pretty much decided at that point, with Flamengo clinching their second consecutive win and topping Group B at the Mundialito de Clubes Beach Soccer.
Goals: 0-1: Biermann, min. 3 (1); 1-1: Two, min. 9 (2); 2-1: Benjamin Jr., min. 8 (2); 3-1: Benjamin Jr., min. 3 (2); 3-2: Pablo, min. 2 (2); 4-2: Thanger, min. 0 (2); 5-2: Anderson, min. 9 (3); 6-2: Benjamin Jr., min. 4 (3); 6-3: Javi Torres, min. 2 (3)
Corinthians seal narrow win over Sporting
Corinthians will fight Lokomotiv tomorrow for a place in the final of this Mundialito de Clubes, following today’s tight win over Sporting Clube de Portugal. The Timão saw the Leões get ahead in the score, but managed to hold their nerves and find their moment to hit back.
Sporting looked more anxious during the first stages of the game. The Lisbon-based side urgently needed a win to keep afloat in the competition, and tried to find the Paulista nets as soon as possible.
They did find them, actually, with Duarte Vivo opening the score midway half first leg and giving them the lead.
It took Corinthians a while to counteract the Portuguese advantage. It was Paporotniy, seven minutes into second period, the one balancing things back
But Corinthians would not stop there, acknowledging that only the victory would get them the chance to fight for the final. Dmitrii Shishin gave Corinthians the lead just seconds into third leg, and Leo Martins added to that with the 3-1 shortly afterwards.
That two-goal would make the difference, as it allowed Corinthians stay ahead when Sporting Clube geared up and cut distance in half. Despite the European side kept trying, their reaction fell one goal short, making their options to access the final vanish.
Goals: 0-1: Duarte, min. 4 (1); 1-1: Paporotnyi, min. 5 (2); 2-1: Shishin, min. 8 (3); 3-1: Leo Martins, min. 7 (3); 3-2: Mathew, min. 2 (3)
Pars Jonoobi, back in the fight with loud win over Rosario
Pars Jonoobi found a very good way of forgetting yesterday’s defeat to Levante in the Mundialito de clubes opener. Copa Libertadores 2016 runner-up CA Rosario Centralhad to pay for it today, suffering the Iranian best version and having to stomach a loud defeat.
Yet from the first minutes of the game, Pars Jonoobi made it clear that it was not going to be a happy afternoon for Rosario Central. Boulokbashi, the game’s top scorer today, opened the score for the Persian side, with Kiani and Masoumizadeh to follow for the 3-0 by the end of first half.
A 4-0 run in the second period virtually sealed the win for Pars Janoobi.
In the beginning of the third period, Agustini tried to add some light to Rosario Central’s game, but the road was too uphill for the Academia. They tried, though, and managed to strengthen the distance with two additional goals by Pampero and a last one by Lucas Ponzetti.
Notwithstanding, today’s defeat leave Rosario Central with no chances to progress in the competition, whereas Pars Jonoobi still keep options to get into the final. They will need a wide win over Flamengo, though.
Goals: 0-1: Boulokbashi, min. 10 (1); 0-2: Kiani, min. 2 (1); 0-3: Masoumizadeh, min. 1 (1); 0-4: Mirshekari, min. 10 (2); 0-5: Boulokbashi, min. 10 (2); 0-6: Mirshekari, min. 6 (2); 0-7: Boulokbahi, min. 1 (2); 1-7: Agustini, min. 11 (3); 1-8: Mesigar, min. 8 (3); 2-8: Pampero, min. 5(3); 3-8: Pampero, min. 4 (3); 4-8: Ponzetti, min. 0(3)
For full results, standings and schedule, click here.
