Courtesy: CONCACAF.com


CONCACAF sides will look to bounce back

Friday Sep 16, 2016

CALI, Colombia – In the second round of games at the 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup, each of CONCACAF’s four representatives suffered setbacks.

Costa Rica and Panama, however, can still finish as group winners.

CONCACAF.com recaps the most recent encounters.

September 13, 2016

Group A (at Cali, Colombia): Panama 0, Portugal 9

After beginning the tournament in great fashion by beating Uzbekistan 3-1 in its first group match, Panama (1-0-1, 3) dropped into second place after falling to a 9-0 defeat at the hands of Portugal (1-1-0, 4). The Europeans scored eight goals in the first half, with captain Ricardinho incredibly netting five of his eventual six. Panama will close group play on Friday against host Colombia (0-2-0,2), which has yet to win.


Group B (at Medellin, Colombia): Thailand 8, Cuba 5

Cuba (0-0-2, 0) dropped an 8-5 decision to Thailand (1-0-1, 3) in a remarkable thirteen-goal encounter. After jumping out to a 3-0 lead thanks to goals from Sandy Dominguez (5:11), Andy Baquero (7:17), and Alejandro Marrero (12:00), the CONCACAF side lost momentum before halftime, as Thailand pulled within one goal at 4-3. The Asian side scored the game’s last four goals to clinch the victory. Karel Marino (18:39) also scored Cuba, which saw Dominguez (24:09) complete his brace in the second half. Battles. The Cubans will meet Russia (2-0-0, 6) on Friday to complete group play.


September 14, 2016

Group C (at Cali, Colombia): Guatemala 1, Italy 5

Despite enjoying an advantage in possession for most of the first half and part of the second, Guatemala (0-0-2, 0) fell 5-1 to Italy (2-0-0, 6). Veteran Rodolfo Fortino struck for a hat-trick in victory, while Luca Leggiero aided the Italian cause with a brace. Guatemala’s lone tally came on an own-goal early in the match from a failed clearance by Italy’s Sergio Romano (7:03). The Central Americans take on Paraguay (1-0-1, 3) in Cali on Saturday.



September 15, 2016

Group E (Bucaramanga, Colombia) Costa Rica 1, Kazakhstan 3

In a tightly-contested affair with plenty of end-to-end action, Costa Rica (1-0-1, 3) fell 3-1 to Kazakhstan (1-0-1). The Ticos found themselves behind 1-0 in the first minute, but equalized through Alejandro Paniagua (14:16) after a neat passing sequence. Pavel Taku (15:48) and Leo (20:21) each netted on either side of the break to give Kazakhstan the victory. CONCACAF champion Costa Rica will look to advance to the next round Saturday, when they battle first-place Argentina (2-0-0, 6).



Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com