A big comeback and penalties win for Argentina to go along with a host victory sets the stage for an amazing day 4
Uruguay comes out on top after see-saw battle
The 5-4 win for Uruguay over Venezuela was as up-and-down as you could see in a beach soccer match. The biggest lead of the match was only two goal, and both teams led at different points in the match, while tied scores were abundant. Venezuela scored first but Uruguay responded with their own offensive attacks. The Vinotino never surrendered and fought every step of the way however a clutch kick in the final period would prove to be enough to the victory. The win gives Uruguay their first win of the event and three points, which they will need going into their final matches, starting with Argentina on Wednesday. Venezuela needed only a little more energy to complete this game on top and they will search for their first win on Wednesday against Brazil.
Both sides were coming off of tough losses on Mondy and they wanted to get rid of that bad taste in their mouth, and quickly. The Vinotinto were the first to get on the board with a goal from Muñoz. The Uruguayans did not need more than two rapid minutes to level the score at 1. La Celeste did not stop with the one opening period goal as they netted a second goal, the latter from Marcelo, to take a 2-1 lead into the first break. The Burgundy were the first strike the back of theonion bag in the middle frame as the equalizer came from Muñoz, his second of the match. Los Charruas had an answer again, with their third goal fo the match, going up 3-2. The next goal was surely going to shape the rest of the game, as neither side had possessed a two goal lead, which the Uruguayans would, or it would be the third tie of the match. The former came true as Uruguay nailed home a stabbing shot to take the 4-2 lead into the final minutes of the period. Trying to buck the trend, the Venezuelans scored the final goal of the period on a penalty kick from Rodriguez to put the score at 4-3 for Uruguay going into the final period.
Venezuela again started the final 12 minutes like they did in the middle frame, with an early goal that once again leveled the score, this time at 4. It was more than evident that the Uruguayans were thriving on the pressure as they gave up their lead like they had multiple times earlier in the match, but a trend was forming, as Uruguay scored again, to take the 5-4 lead heading into the final minutes of the match. That last goal proved to be enough for the Uruguayans to hang on dearly for the 5-4 victory.
Goals: 0-1: Muñoz, min. 10 (1); 1-1: Matias, min. 8 (1); 2-1: Marcelo, min. 3 (1); 2-2: Muñoz, min 9 (2); 3-2: Martin, min. 9 (2); 4-2: Richard, min. 4 (2); 4-3: Rodriguez, min. 2 (2); 4-4: Camargo, min. 11 (3); 5-4: Martin, min. 7 (3).
Chile marches through Bolivia for 3 points
The 4-2 win for Chile over Bolivia had both squads showing a complete lack of regard for their bodies as they were determined to do everything to win, including attempting dangerous headers and diving to block shots, but the low-scoring affair turned in some spectacular goals, first from Bolivia, but then the tide quickly shifted to Chile, who knocked home enough shots to claim victory. The win gives Chile their first win of the week and their first points, three, and they will hope to build on that for their next match against Ecuador on Wednesday. The loss was another close one for Bolivia and they will search for their first win against Paraguay on Wednesday.
Chile and Bolivia were both in search of their first win of the Qualifier and while neither side was playing poorly in the opening minutes of the frame, in fact, quite the contrary, but the score remained just as the atch had started, tied at 0. The rockets of shots added up but good goalkeeping and defense created for tense attacks on offense. The Chileans were in control of the ball, but it was the Bolivians who were taking more dangerous shots on goal in the early going. The first period came to a close with nothing decided between the rivals as the score stayed 0-0. The match remained scoreless going into the heart of the game, but the shots were getting closer and close as each team was doing a good job adjusting to the other teams’ defense and tactics. The Verde jumped out of the gates first, scoring on a blast from Pero, but two late period goals brought La Roja into the lead. The Chileans added another goal in the last minute to build a 3-1 lead going into the final frame.
Bolivia started the last 12 minutes with a newfound energy and enthusiasm and saw the better chances in the opening minutes, but they all went missing. The good news for the Greens was that they were also diligent in defense and were doing well to keep Chile from jumping ahead further. The aggressiveness eventually paid off in the last frame as the Bolivians got their second goal just past the midway point, to draw back to within one goal at 3-2. The Reds were not going to let the game slip between their fingers and they scored again, late in the match, to give themselves a two goal cushion and secure the 4-2 win.
Goals: 0-1: Pedro, min. 5 (2); 1-1: Belaunde, min. 3 (2); 2-1: Ponce, min. 3 (2); 3-1: Barraza, min. 1 (2); 3-2: Castedo, min. 5 (3); 4-2: Medalla, min. 3 (3).
Argentina turns 3 goal deficit into penalties win
The 6(1)-6(0) shootout win for Argentina over Peru was a surprise to some but exciting for everyone as there were some of the most spectacular goals, saves, and high quality play that is now expected in the CONMEBOL region. The drama was evident from start to finish though the final result does not show all the thrilling goals and saves and clutch shots that propelled this match into an instant classic. First Peru led and led big, then Argentina stormed back in the last minutes to take a lead but it was the Peruvians who sent the match into overtime. In the extra frame, Los Gauchos scored first but Peru connected also, in the final seconds put the game on the line with penalty kicks. In the shootout, Argentina saved two shots and scored the only goal, earning the toughest of wins. The victory gives Argentina their second win and their fourth point, as they only earned one for the penalties victory. Peru still has one win and three points but they will hope to get over this loss against Uruguay on Thursday. Argentina next plays Uruguay on Wednesday.
Argentina is nearly always a favourite when going into their beach soccer matches and that is one reason why it was such a surprise to see the Peruvians score first, but the Argentine side has been in too many battles to not fight back and they with a strike from Costas that put the score at 1-1 late in the opening frame. Peru continued to push Argentina and the inspired play led to another goal, this one from Costas, putting the score at 2-1 to the good for the underdogs, Peru. The Albiceleste were on their heels but they tried holding their ground and eventually found their footing on defense and then began their own offensive assault. The score stayed the same heading into the middle of match, with Los Incas still holding onto the tight one goal lead at 2-1. Los Gauchos were trying to slow down and quiet Peru but they not able to completely stop them in their tracks, still allowing good chances, however no shots were getting past the keeper. Peru was more than doing their part on the defensive end and were withstanding all the attacks until a late period penalty was awarded to Argentina, less than a minute after saving a Peruvian penalty. The Argentine penalty struck the frame and on the ensuing possession, Peru scored again to take a 3-1 lead into the final frame.
Peru were not intimidated by the beach soccer team that looked better on paper than they did, but as they say, beach soccer is not played on paper, it is played on sand, and the Incans scored first in the period to take a commanding 4-1 lead. The Argentineans may not have seen this match coming, they stayed composed and netted their own early third period goal, to pull back to within 4-2, heading into the heart of the frame. The comeback trail was far from over and the Cowboys knew that, and they used a goal from Medero to get back to within one goal at 4-3, the closes they had been since the middle frame. In an unbelievable turn around, Medero of Argentina scored his second goal of the game and period to tie the match at 4-all going into the final minutes. In one of the most splendid individual efforts from anyone in one period, Medero scored his third goal in less than four minutes to give the Albicleste their first lead of the day at 5-4. Peru could have very well and understandably crumbled but instead they slotted home a last minute equalizer, sending the tense match into overtime tied at 5. The overtime was fast and saw Peru look like the team of destiny but it was Sirico of Argentina who scored to look what would cap a dramatic day, but the drama was far from over as Zagaceta of Peru nailed a goal in the final seconds to go straight to penalties. The penalties added even more excitement s only one goal was scored as shots were saved or missed and in the end Argentina earned the 6(1)-6(0) penalties win.
Goals: 0-1: Zagaceta, min. 11 (1); 1-1: Costas, min. 4 (1); 1-2: Perez, min. 3 (1); 1-3: Vidal, min. 1 (2); 1-4: Perez, min. 10 (3); 2-4: Costas, min. 8 (3); 3-4: Medero, min. 8 (3); 4-4: Medero, min. 5 (3); 5-4: Medero, min. 4 (3); 5-5: Vidal, min. 1 (3); 6-5: Sirico, min. 1 (et); 6-6: Zagaceta, min. 0 (et).
Penalties: Zagaceta, saved; Franceschini, miss; Castro, saved; Medero, goal; Vidal, saved.
Ecuador remains undefeated and eyes semis
The 5-2 win for Ecuador over Colombia was a match that you could write home about as it was constantly contested, had a high level of play, and the stadium and fans were interested and taking part in the action from the opening whistle to the final horn. Ecuador nailed home the first shots, taking the early lead before ceding a goal to Colombia. The big lead they had built was enough to ride out the 5-2 victory. The win is the second in two tries for Ecuador and they will look to further improve their chances of advancing to the semi-finals. They will next play Chile, on Wednesday. Colombia earned an overtime victory in their first match and will need to win on Thursday against Chile.
The Yellows started the match on a torrid pace and scored the games’ first goal, as the crowd erupted like a dormant volcano. The only difference was that there was no destruction only joy from the locals. The 1-0 score held until the final minutes of the game when the Ecuadorians scored again to keep the Colombians guessing and on the run. The 2-0 score would not change as the match headed into the second period by that same score. The hosts were on a high note from their solid opening frame and they continued the momentum by scoring first in the second period as well, leaving the score at 3-0. Los Cafeteros mounted attacks and took their chances, some of them very nearly scoring, and just one or two of those chances connecting would have changed the complexion of the match, however, Los Amarillos kept the shutout until the final minutes of the second period, when the Colombians used a goal from Ortega to pull the score back to within two goals, at 3-1, which is how the score would stand going into the final frame.
The final 12 minutes were of the utmost importance to both teams, but maybe a little more for the visitors as they were staring at a deficit, albeit a small one. The two sides were playing neck and neck in the last period, exchanging shots and changing field position but the back lines were just as tough and the score remained 3-1 for the Ecuadorians going into the heart of the period. With the crowd chanting, “Ecuador!” at the top of their lungs, the home team decidedly satisfied the fans with a fourth goal, the second from Moreira, to safely put them in the lead by a score of 4-1. The match would sadly come to an end, sad because the atmosphere and ambience was unparalleled, with Ecuador up by a score of 5-2.
Goals: 1-0: Ceballos, min. 10 (1); 2-0: Gallegos, min. 4 (1); 3-0: Moreira, min. 8 (2); 3-1: Ortega, min. 3 (2); 4-1: Moreira, min. 3 (3); 5-1: Conforme, min. 1 (3); 5-2: Camilo, min. 1 (3).
FIFA BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP 2015 – CONMEBOL QUALIFIER MANTA (ECUADOR)
Results Today:
Tuesday 21.04.15
13:00 – Uruguay 5-4 Venezuela (Group B)
14:15 – Chile 4-2 Bolivia (Group A)
15:30 – Argentina 6(1)-6(0) (pen) Peru (Group B)
16:45 – Ecuador 5-2 Colombia (Group A)
Upcoming Matches:
Wednesday 22.04.15
13:00 – Paraguay vs Bolivia (Group A)
14:15 – Brazil vs Venezuela (Group B)
15:30 – Argentina vs Uruguay (Group B)
16:45 – Ecuador vs Chile (Group A)
