MANAGUA, Nicaragua — The Dominican Republic and United States played to a thrilling finish as the second matchday took place in the 2024 Concacaf Futsal Championship on Sunday at the Polideportivo Alexis Arguello in Managua, Nicaragua.
Guatemala, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama all won their second consecutive matches to seal their ticket to the quarterfinals. Hosts Nicaragua fought back from a two-goal deficit to tie Cuba in the final match of the day.
The third and decisive matchday will take place on Monday. The two best teams in each group, along with the two best third place teams, will advance to the quarterfinals.
Guatemala comeback, Dominican Republic surprises in Group C
Guatemala was victorious 5-3 over Trinidad and Tobago in the first Group C match of matchday two. Che Benny opened the scoring in the 7’ and assisted Shane Hospedales in the 16’ as the Soca Warriors took a two-goal lead into halftime.
Bryan Santizo scored the first for Guatemala in the 22’ before Alan Aguilar equalized in the 26’. Roberto Alvarado put the Chapines in front in the 27’. Marvin Sandoval extended the lead in the 28’ but Benny would answer for Trinidad and Tobago in the 29’. Patrick Ruiz added a fifth for Guatemala in the 35’ and the score would remain intact through full time.
The Dominican Republic edged the United States, 7-6, to get its first win of the campaign. David Rondon forced the opening goal in the 3’ to place the Dominicans in the lead and Jose Belliard followed up with a second in the 5’. Sebastian Mendez cut the deficit for the USA in the 6’. Javier Pepen extended the Dominican lead in the 15’ but Luciano Gonzalez would put the U.S. back within one in the 20’.
A strong second half start put the Dominicans up by four with goals from Guillermo Lopez in the 26’, Marselle Cestero in the 31’ and Hector Perez in the 32’. The USA responded with three themselves with Franck Tayou and Sebastian Mendez in the 34’, and Mendez again in the 36’ to trim the deficit to the minimal deficit. The two nations traded goals in the 40’, making for a dramatic finish, as Hector Perez scored for the Dominican Republic before Nilton de Andrade closed the scoring for the USA.
Trinidad and Tobago will meet the Dominican Republic to open matchday three. Guatemala and the United States will follow in an encounter that will decide first place in the group.
Mexico, Costa Rica remain unbeaten in Group A
Costa Rica won 3-1 over Suriname to continue its unbeaten start to the tournament. Vangellino Sastromedjo scored the lone goal for Suriname in the 7’. Pablo Rodriguez responded for Costa Rica in the 8’ and Jean Salas extended the lead in the 11’. Milinton Tijerino added a third for the reigning champions in the 18’.
Mexico took a 9-4 win over Haiti to climb into first place in Group A. Daniel Soltero opened the scoring in the 1’. Brhorhado Borgella equalized in the 3’ and added a second in the 4’. John Preval made it three for Haiti in the 6’. Eder Giorgana took one back for Mexico in the 8’ and Eduardo Davalos tied seconds later. Eddie Sanchez added another for the Mexican contingent in the 13’ but Jean Schwetzer St Hubert equalized for Haiti seconds after.
Abraham Atri retook the lead for Mexico in the 21’. Sanchez would collect his brace in the 27’ and Davalos would do the same in the 30’. Eder Giorgana would net his brace in the 35’ and Miguel Giorgana would add a ninth for Mexico in the 36’.
Suriname and Haiti will open Group A play on Monday, with both needing a victory to keep their quarterfinal hopes alive. Costa Rica and Mexico will face off afterward to decide the group's top spot.
Panama wins again, Nicaragua gets vital point in Group B
Panama continued its winning form with a 7-3 result against Canada. Alfonso Maquensi scored in the 5’ to put Panama in front before Abdiel Ortiz extended the lead in the 6’ off a corner kick. Loic Kwemi scored Canada’s first goal in the 8’. Maquensi restored a two-goal lead in the 13’ in what remained a close match through the halftime break.
Kwemi converted from the penalty spot in the 21’, bringing Canada within one to start the second half. Ortiz scored again in the 25’ to extend Panama's lead. Aquiles Campos added another for the Central Americans in the 31’. Kwemi completed his hat-trick in the 35’ as Canada continued to fight back. Claudio Goodridge scored a sixth for Panama in the 37’ before goalkeeper Jaime Peñaloza scored from goal to goal seconds later.
Cuba and Nicaragua played to a 2-2 draw to end the day. The teams remained deadlocked until the 9’ when Jorge Gonzalez opened the scoring for Cuba. Jose Morales extended the lead in the 19’.
Lester Kripp tied for the hosts in the 26’ to bring the score within the minimal difference. Kripp converted from a penalty opportunity in the 30’ to tie the match.
On the final matchday, Panama will face Cuba in the penultimate match. Canada and Nicaragua will close out the group stage.
