Eddie Soto’s team edge El Salvador in the last seconds of the final to claim the continental throne, as Mexico end in the third place
The USA confirmed today in Nassau their stunning way back to the global stage, becoming the champions of this FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2013 ? CONCACAF Qualifier Bahamas and succeeding Mexico as the continental kings. A last breath hit by Nick Perera in the final against El Salvador had the Northern Americans bagging a trophy they had not got in their hands again after the 2007 edition.
With the prize of being a part of the next FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2013 already secured, both teams hit the sand of Malcom?s Park stadium in Nassau with the idea of leaving the Bahamas tomorrow with the continental crown in their hands. El Salvador, who lost in the final of the last edition to Mexico, opened the score, thanks to Elmer, only to see, though, Soto?s lads turning the score round in two minutes. Before the first period was over, Agustin pulled the equalizer back for the Salvadorans.
Futagaki tried to have his team ahead once again, but the Cuscatleco would not let them take the lead for too long, as Wilber immediately neutralized that advantage.
It was then Frank, one of best players of the tournament, who wanted his name written on the game records, and after a brilliant move fired the 3-4 home.
As minutes went by, it seemed that Frank?s goal could have closed the final, but along came Nick Perera, top scorer of the tournament, to act as the killer he is and decide the game. First, with the equalizer that sent the game to the extra time. And little afterwards, with the tournament winner hit just seconds before the end of the supplementary three minutes.
Goals: 0-1: Elmer, min. 10 (1); 1-1: Valentine, min. 6 (1); 2-1: Futagaki, min. 4 (1); 2-2: Agustin, min. 0 (1); 3-2: Futagaki, min. 9 (2); 3-3: Wilber, min. 6 (2); 3-4: Frank, min. 9 (3); 4-4: Perera, min. 6 (3); 5-4: Perera, min. 0 (et)
Mexico clinch bronze after 15 goals!
The defending CONCACAF champions could bid farewell to this 2013 edition with the third position in the championship. After being pushed off the road by El Salvador yesterday, the Azteca could not be contented today with anything else than the victory and the third place. It was nothing easy, though, as Costa Rica had thoroughly proven to be a fierce contender. Only after a terribly balanced goal-shower, the Mexican could edge the Ticos to seal the third place.
Pacheco opened the score for Costa Rica, but immediately afterwards, Mexico turned the scored around and seemed to get the game under control with a 0-4 run that got them three goals ahead at the beginning of second leg.
Costa Rica were not to give up that early, and fought their way back to the game, with five goals that got them ahead once again (6-5). Jorge Rodríguez balanced things back, but Costa Rica madly wanted the bronze, as Brenes proved just two minutes afterwards. Time was running out for Ramon Raya?s side, when, with just 100 seconds to go, Cati netted the 7-7, with Villalobos to follow to seal the win for the Azteca.
Goals: 1-0: Pacheco, min. 10 (1); 1-1: Plata, min. 9 (1); 1-2: Cervantes, min. 8 (1); 1-3: A. Rodríguez, min. 5 (1); 1-4: A. Rodríguez, min. 11 (2); 2-4: Mora, min. 6 (2); 3-4: López, min. 5 (2); 3-5: Villalobos, min. 6 (2); 4-5: Pacheco, min. 2 (2); 5-5: Mora, min. 11 (3); 6-5: Pacheco, min. 11 (3); 6-6: J. Rodríguez, min. 8 (3); 7-6: Brenes, min. 6 (3); 7-7: Cati, min. 2 (3); 7-8: Villalobos, min. 1 (3)
Guatemala get the 5th place after bending Bahamas from the penalty kick spot
The Bahamas National Beach Soccer team could not close this FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup ? CPONCACAF qualifier they are hosting as sweetly as they would have liked to. The Bahamians came really close to the semifinals, only to fall one goal short of the records that would have got them in, and the penalty kick shootout denied them the fifth place in the competition today.
Guatemala proved better aimed from the 9-meter distance after a terribly thrilling and balanced game in which both sides netted six goals. After a goalless extra time, the Chapines would seal the victory thanks to Samaoya, who took perfect advantage of Jean?s sending his attempt wide.
Goals: 1-0: Jean, min. 11 (1); 1-1: Veliz, min. 2 (1); 2-1: Williams, min. 9 (2); 3-1: Hanna, min. 4 (2); 3-2: Gonzalez, min. 2 (2); 3-3: Zaldaña, min. 9 (3); 3-4: Valencia, min. 7 (3); 4-4: Forbes, min. 5 (3); 4-5: González, min. 5 (3); 5-5: Williams, min. 2 (3); 5-6: González, min. 0 (et); 6-6: Hanna, min. 0 (et);
Penalty kick shootout: Jean, out; Samayoa, in.
FIFA BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP 2013 ? CONCACAF QUALIFIER BAHAMAS
Nassau, Bahamas 8th-12th of May
Game results:
Sunday, 12th of May 2013
14:30 ? Costa Rica 7-8 Mexico
15:45 ? Bahamas 6(0)-6(1) Guatemala (match for the 5th place)
17:00 ? USA* 5-4(et) El Salvador*
*Qualified for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Tahiti 2013
Individual awards:
MVP: Agustín Ruiz (SLV)
Top Scorer: Nick Perera (USA) ? 11 goals
Best goalkeeper: Cristopher Toth (USA)
Picture: David Leah – MEXSPORT
