British women survived a mighty scare as they edged past Paraguay 5-4 in beach soccer on the opening day of the ANOC World Beach Games at Katara Beach yesterday.
Britain were the overwhelming favourites going into the Group B match but a spirited Paraguay side looked to pull off a big upset, before eventually falling short. After the first period ended in a stalemate, goals rained in the next two periods.
In the first period, the British had the majority of the early shots but their long range efforts couldn’t find the target. The breakthrough, however, came quickly after the restart as Gemma Hillier found the net with a fierce shot. But Paraguay were quick to draw level when Fanny Godoy skipped past a couple of defenders to slot the ball in.
Britain were back in front though as Sarah Kempson turned in from close range, before Molly Clark added an another. At the start of third and last period, Britain went three goals ahead as Clark scored her second. Paraguay, though, were not in a mood to go down easily as they scripted a stunning fight back. Godoy was the star for Paraguay as she nodded in a brace to level the scoreline to 3-3. Mara Rolon had the chance to level up again but the number nine blasted her penalty over the bar. However, Rolon did find an equaliser with minutes left of the match to play. But a thunderbolt from keeper Hannah Haughton in the dying minutes gave Britain a thrilling win.
In other women’s preliminary matches, Brazil, Spain, and Russia all got off to winning starts. Russia beat USA 3-1 in an interesting contest. Russia took the lead through Livuov Komarova after she received a backheel on the overlap down the right and drove low into the far corner. Goals quickly thereafter from Anna Petrova, and Natalia Zaitseva took the game beyond American reach. Kilee Quigley scored a consolation goal for US.
Meanwhile, beach soccer powerhouse Brazil struggled initially against Cape Verde but eventually come out on top 7-2.
Cape Verde took the lead first, as Lele Lopes inadvertently turned the ball into her own net. Nayara bagged a brace as Brazil went into lead after first period.
Spain, meanwhile thrashed Mexico 9-1. Fresneda Morga and Alba Mellado scored a brace each, while Carol Gonzalez, Sara Rodriguez, Alba Mellado, Laura Gallego and Jessi found the net once each
Action from the Mexico vs Spain beach soccer match in the ANOC World Beach Games yesterday. At bottom, a glimpse from the Russia vs USA game.
