Mexico, El Salvador open CBSC in strong fashion

MIAMI, Florida - Mexico and El Salvador were among the teams to start the 2021 Concacaf Beach Soccer Championship in strong fashion on Monday at Sports Complex Fedefutbol-Plycem in Alajuela, Costa Rica.

Mexico kicked off the tournament with a 6-3 win over Belize to collect three points in Group A. For El Tricolor, Erick Samano had a brace, while Cristofher Castillo, Salomon Wbias, Nestor Martinez and Jose Vizcarra chipped in with goals.

Evan Mariano scored twice for Belize, with Marlon Meza netting the other goal.

Group B opened with Bahamas and Guatemala playing to an exciting 3-3 draw and Guatemala winning 3-1 in a penalty shootout.

Miguel Gonzalez, Wilson Gonzalez and Juan Flores scored for the Chapines, while Gary Joseph, Daron Beneby and Kyle Williams tallied for the islanders. Miguel Gonzalez scored the decisive penalty to earn Guatemala the victory.

Also in Group B, El Salvador posted a 15-1 win over CBSC debutants Dominican Republic to start off the tournament with three points.

Ruben Batres had four goals, Francisco Velasquez and Jason Urbina each had hat tricks and were joined on the scoresheet by Heber Ramos, Exon Perdomo, Elmer Robles, Andres Cruz and Darwin Ramirez.

Inoel Navarro scored the lone goal for Dominican Republic, which was the first ever goal for the country in a CBSC.

The United States also enjoyed a successful start with a 11-1 victory over Turks and Caicos Islands in Group C.

Nicolas Perera, Nicolas Perea, Tomas Canale and Gabriel Silveira all had braces, while David Mondragon, Antonio Chavez and Conner Rezende contributed goals.

Turks and Caicos Islands may have only scored once, but it was arguably the best goal of the day with GK Pendieno Brooks firing in from long-range.

The day’s action was rounded out by Costa Rica topping Trinidad and Tobago 5-3 in Group C.

Christian Sanchez bagged a brace and was joined on the scoresheet by Jonaiker Gamboa, Greivin Pacheco and Pablo Calvo for the Ticos, while Ryan Augustine scored twice and Dominic Mc Dougall tallied for the Soca Warriors.