The United States kept the Selecta Playa away from the title in the El Salvador Beach Soccer Cup – – 2024-04-01 14:14:18

The Selecta men’s beach team suffered its second consecutive defeat and was left without any chance of fighting for the title in El Salvador Beach Soccer Cup 2024 when it fell 4-5 last night against the United States in the main duel of the second day of competitions on the Costa del Sun.

It was a new demonstration of courage and dedication by the beach warriors, but without obtaining the prize of victory, one that was mandatory and necessary to maintain their chances of being the protagonist.

The desire to obtain the first victory ended in the last 13 seconds of the game with the goal of the American captain Nicolás Perea, who took advantage of a ball in the area and drove it into the back of Erick Nájera’s goal.

With this result, El Salvador will only have the opportunity to seek its first victory against Switzerland, leader of the quadrangular with 4 points, in the third and final game.

The blue jersey came under extra pressure in the second game after losing 2-3 in its debut against Morocco. Under this scenario, coach Rudis Gallo came out with Eliodoro Portillo in goal, Heber Ramos, Elmer Robles, Agustín Ruiz and Emerson Cerna as starters.

A free kick opened the opportunity for El Salvador to score 1-0, which Emerson Cerna masterfully took to beat goalkeeper Austin Collier and celebrate his second goal in the tournament.

It was not a comfortable match for the hosts and Eliodoro Portillo was once again the protagonist with timely saves such as Nicolás Perea’s shot that did not connect in the best way. Minutes later, Leo deflected a powerful shot from Antonio Chávez that ended in a corner kick and prolonged applause from the public.

With 10 seconds left in the first period, the tie came for the North American team with a header from Álvaro Franco.

At the beginning of the second period, Tanner Akol appeared in the area to beat goalkeeper Erick Nájera and put the Americans ahead 2-1.

They were minutes of deconcentration for the Selecta playa that conceded the third goal, this time with a shot by the American captain Nicolás Perea.

Then Antonio Chávez scored for the 4-1 that silenced the fans for a while

The reaction of the host team was timely and Frank Velásquez scored with a shot and a minute later the fans shouted for Melvin Quinteros who scored the third with a header to put El Salvador within reach of equalizing the score (3-4 ).

The long-awaited tie was achieved by Agustín Ruiz with a free kick, which he took at sand level and hit goalkeeper Collier’s left post to make it 4-4.

The third round was even and exciting with chances of scoring by both teams, but the Cuscatleco dream was extinguished with Perea’s goal when the stopwatch registered 13 seconds left in a bittersweet match for the hosts.

Switzerland beat Morocco 5-4 in a penalty shootout and maintained leadership in the men’s branch of the El Salvador Beach Soccer Cup 2024.

In the three periods and overtime, the Scandinavians and Africans tied 3-3, so the winner will be determined in an exciting penalty shootout.

The Swiss victory was achieved with Sandro Spaccarrotella’s score and goalkeeper Eliot Mounoud’s save from Amine El Bidouri on the sixth shot.

Bidouri was the one who extended the game by making it 3-3 with a header in the last three seconds of normal time.

With suffering included, Switzerland adds its second victory and reaches four points in the international quadrangular.