The Peninsula
Great Britain will meet Brazil while Spain will take on Russia in today’s women’s beach soccer semi-finals of the ANOC World Beach Games, while in the men’s section Asian powerhouse Iran along with Italy and Brazil made it to the last four stage.
In yesterday’s last group stage matches of the women’s section, Great Britain down their old rivals Russia to top the group, while Spain found an extra gear to beat Brazil in the final third.
Great Britain were familiar foes to the Russians, and it turned out to be a classic beach soccer battle.
Both sides were already in the semi-finals ahead of this tie, but finishing in the arguably favourable top spot of Group B was the prize for victory in yesterday’s match.
Great Britain controlled the play as the clock ticked on and saw the game out effectively, bagging three points in the 4-1 win and topping the group in the process. The Brazil and Spain clash was no different.
Both sides had already qualified for the semi-finals and toppoing Group A was no prize to be sniffed at.
Andrea Miron got the match underway with a fine hit in the eighth minute of play and despite the best efforts of the debuting Brazilians, La Roja led at the break.
However, Fabricio dos Santos ladies took just seconds to turn the match on its head, with Dani volleying home straight from the kick off, closely followed by an incredible solo goal from Barbara, who looped a long shot over the keeper, dropping the ball into the top corner.
Lorena extended the lead to 1-3 and it looked as if Brazil would run away with this match until Mellado hit an unstoppable penalty before the second break.
In the final third, Mendez’s ladies flew onto the sand and Freseneda scored a nice hit, then set pieces from Carol Glez and Mellado pushed Spain into a two-goal lead. A sublime backheel set Freseneda up for the final nail in the coffin for Brazil.