FIFA’s Beach Soccer Worldwide Miami Cup 2011 closed its curtains with an amazing final today. Facing the South American Champions, Brazil, with their Northern and Central American homologue, were Mexico, with a final fight for the Cup. Favorites Brazil played their role and claimed the Cup, but they needed an extra effort to bend the spirited Mexicans. Ramon Raya’s lads gave a new instance of their maturity and their huge competitiveness, as they seemed to stand as a really fearless team in the upcoming FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Ravenna/Italy 2011.
After a first period with no change to the score, Mexico hit the net first to make things extremely different to what the Brazilians had planned. But joy lasted just one minute for the Azteca, since Buru equalized the score and turned their opponent’s advantage into just an ephemeral memory. Benjamin, with a great free kick attempt turned things around and swept his side ahead just four minutes afterwards.
The match was already where Brazil wanted it to be. Soares’ side is not only the best team in the world, but they know how to manage an advantage extremely well. This is how they build their victories: imposing their opponent with the necessity to strike back, tightening their defensive line almost exasperatingly, and taking the best advantage of their amusing talent to kill the game at any chance. This is exactly how things worked out for the Verdeamarela, with defender Anderson scoring the third goal with only two minutes left to secure the first place in the Beach Soccer Worldwide Miami Cup 2011.
The match closed the first edition of this top-level International Beach Soccer Championship that could be coming back to South Beach again very soon. FIFA Beach Soccer president, Joan Cusco, said: “We feel really satisfied after seeing everything work out so well. It was a big challenge to bring the first FIFA Beach Soccer International event to Miami, and all of our expectations were more than accomplished. The crowd was great, they enjoyed a great spectacle, and we received great feedback. We are really looking forward to making this tournament an annual event after seeing the response from the crowd and the support from the local authorities, the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Miami Dade County and The Polo Life, to who we want to thank for all their help.”
Goals : 0-1 : Plata, min. 9 (2) ; 1-1 : Buru, min. 8 (2) ; 2-1 : Benjamin, min. 4 (2) ; 3-1 : Anderson, min. 2 (3)
Penalty kick shootout gives USA second place
The USA earned their five points thanks to their better aim from the 9 meter spot in their last match against Spain. Oscar Gil’s hat trick and Farberoff’s nerves were the key for the hosts to warrant the victory against the Europeans, who kept replying to all of the American attacks. This is exactly what happened when Alonso and Javi Torres balanced things after the 1-0 and 2-1 scores.
The match seemed to be going to the U.S when Gil completed his hat trick to put the USA ahead with just two minutes to go. But it just seemed that Spain kept looking to Rowe’s end until Javi Torres managed a last minute equalizer that sent the match into the extra time. Today, these three supplementary minutes were not enough to untie the score, and the penalty shootout was the only way to pass the final sentence.
Spaniard’s captain, Nico, took the responsibility first, only to see his attempt hit the wrong net. The ball went wide over the crossbar and crashed against the protection netting. His USA counterpart then had the chance of securing the two points at stake, and he did not miss it, snatching the prize that would end up giving Soto’s lads the second place in this Beach Soccer Worldwide Miami Cup 2011.
Goals: 1-0: Gil, min. 11 (1); 1-1: Alonso, min. 0 (1) ; 2-1 : Gil, min. 9 (2) ; 2-2 : Javi Torres, min. 8 (3) ; 3-2 : Gil, min. 2 (3) ; 3-3 : Javi Torres, min. 0 (3)
Penalty shootout : Nico, out; Farberoff, in.
Final Standings:
1-Brazil – 9 points
2- The USA – 5 points
3- Mexico – 3 points
4- Spain – 0 points
The finale of the day was a swimwear fashion show by designer “ANK” in the VIP tent.
Photo credit: Zoltan Photography + “ANK” Fashion Show Mitchell Zachs/Magical Photos