RIO DE JANEIRO (Nov. 3, 2006) – The U.S. Beach Soccer team was unable to overcome an organized Japan team in a 4-8 loss in their first group match of the 2006 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup at the famed Copacabana Beach. The U.S. will next face Poland on Sunday, Nov. 5, at 10:20 a.m. ET. Highlights of the match will be shown on taped delay at 1 p.m. on Sunday on Telemundo.
The U.S. team finished the match a man down when U.S. forward Raphael Xexeo was issued a sent off for a second yellow card two minutes from the end of the game. Japan opened the scoring in the match, taking advantage of a communication error between the U.S. goalkeeper and defense. Xexeo evened the score two minutes before the end of the first period, but the draw was short-lived as Japan answered back with a goal from the ensuing kickoff.
In the second period, Japan scored again before U.S. captain Francis Farberoff was able to come up with another U.S. goal. Japan answered back with three goals, one off a throw in, one off of a free kick and one from a penalty kick.
The U.S. kicked off the third period looking to attack quickly, but Japan once again put away two goals before forward Yuri Morales was able to put one away for the U.S. Forward Anthony Chimienti also put one away for the U.S., but not before Japan chipped a ball over the U.S. ‘keeper for their final goal of the match.
In other Group A action, Brazil earned a dominating 9-2 win against Poland on home sand. Poland will measure up against the USA next, while Brazil will face Japan on Sunday, Nov. 5, at 9 a.m. ET (1 p.m. ET Telemundo taped delay).
U.S. Beach Soccer 2006 FIFA World Cup Schedule/Results
Date Opponent Time/Result (Local / ET) TV
Nov. 3 Japan 4-8 L
Nov. 5 Poland 12:20 p.m. / 10:20 a.m. Telemundo; 1 p.m. ET
Nov. 7 Brazil 1 a.m. / 9 a.m.
U.S. Beach Soccer Roster
GOALKEEPERS (2): 1-Luiz Montanez, 12-Bayard Elfvin;
DEFENDERS (4): 5-Benyam Astorga, 9-Zak Ibsen, 2-Austin Roman, 3-Brendon Taguinod;
FORWARDS (6): 10-Francis Farberoff, 11-Raphael Xexeo, 7-Noah Merl, 8-Anthony Chimienti, 6-Ronald Silva, 4-Yuri Morales.
Head coach: Roberto Ceciliano
Group A Standings Teams W L T GF GA GD Pts Brazil 1 0 0 9 2 +7 3
Japan 1 0 0 8 4 +4 3
USA 0 1 0 4 8 -4 0
Poland 0 1 0 2 9 -7 0
2006 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup
Group A Schedule/Results No. Date Matchup Time/Result (Local/ET) TV
5 Nov. 3 USA vs. Japan 4-8
6 Nov. 3 Brazil vs. Poland 9-2
14 Nov. 5 Brazil vs. Japan 11 a.m. / 9 a.m. Telemundo; 1 p.m. ET
15 Nov. 5 Poland vs. USA 12:20 p.m. / 10:20 a.m. Telemundo; 1 p.m. ET
22 Nov. 7 Brazil vs. USA 11 a.m. / 9 a.m.
24 Nov. 7 Poland vs. Japan 1:40 p.m. / 11:40 a.m.
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