Courtesy: concacaf.com

Gonzalez praises Guatemala’s unity at CFC

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica – Guatemala (1W-0D-1L, 3 points) picked up a big 6-2 victory over Mexico in the 2016 CONCACAF Futsal Championship on Monday, a result that leaves it well positioned ahead of Tuesday’s Group B finale against last-place Honduras (0-0-2, 0).

After suffering a 4-1 loss to Panama (2-0-0, 6) on Sunday, picking up three points against the Tricolor was crucial to the Chapines’ hopes of reaching the FIFA Futsal World Cup.

A big reason for the bounce back was the play and leadership of Rafael Gonzalez. The veteran of two Futsal World Cups could be seen gathering the team together during stoppages in play and keeping everyone focused on the task at hand.

He was pleased that Guatemala rebounded so well from the Panama setback.

“I think it was a match very different from yesterday,” Gonzalez said after the game. “Tomorrow, we have a final. We already got a victory in today’s final…tomorrow we go for another final.

“We are going day by day, working like we have been doing. The team continues to be united. It continues to be upbeat for what we came here to do, so we are going for everything.”

The 29-year-old converted a penalty in the fourth minute to give Guatemala a 2-0 lead. With 10 minutes remaining in the match, however, the final result hung in the balance. Mexico pulled to within one goal of leveling, but three goals in the last five minutes gave the Central Americans a much-needed three points.

“I think that today we looked at ourselves as being better as a team, not as individuals,” finished Gonzalez. “The truth is that I am happy for the win, happy that the team was united in the victory and I think that it makes us stronger.”

Guatemala has qualified for the last two FIFA Futsal World Cups.






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