2015-06-24

CP Football World Championships - Day 11

News

DAY 11: AS IT HAPPENED

Today was the penultimate day of tournament and we saw the final round of positional fixtures. It was also a bumper game of matches with 10 teams in action all looking to seek their final position.

The first game of the day saw Northern Ireland play Venezuela in the 13th/14th place play-off match. In a highly competitive game, Venezuela came through as winners, with the final score 1-0.

The first half saw the action move from end to end with both team having good chances to take the lead but ultimately unable to find the back of the net. The deadlock was finally broken in the 54th minute when Venezuela’s Yari Villegas picked up the ball just outside the box. He travelled forward into the area before expertly dispatching a close range shot passed the despairing Lewsley.

The result means that Venezuela finish the championships in 13th place, whilst Northern Ireland are 14th in the final standings with their players hoping to have impressed enough to receive a call up to the Great Britain Paralympic squad for Rio.

A Six-man Portugal was triumphant over Australia after beating them in a penalty shoot-out, as the game finished 1-1 after extra time. The European side were out seeking revenge on the Pararoos, after being defeated 2-0 in the group stage.

Hugo Pinheiro volleyed home and put his side one goal in front in the 7th minute. Australia did not waste any time to draw level, pressuring the Portuguese defence into conceding a penalty, which was dispatched clinically by captain Christopher Pyne in the 10th minute.

After a closely fought 70 minutes of play, the outcome was to be decided by penalties. The shoot-out came down to a sudden death face-off between the two goalkeepers. Rocha capped a brilliant performance with a penalty conversion, whereas it was heartbreak for his opposite number Barty, who saw his penalty saved and Portugal clinch the match 4-3 on penalties.

The victory secured Portugal an 11th place finish in the World Championships, while Australia had to settle with 12th position.

In the third game of the day a Trevor Stiles hat-trick was not enough for Canada as they succumbed to a 5-3 defeat at the hands of Scotland in the play-off for 9th/10th place.

Goals from Kyle Hannin, Martin Hickman, Ian Paton, Jonathan Paterson and Barry Halloran ensured victory for Scotland in their final match of the tournament. But they made hard work of it, conceding a two goal advantage in the final 15 minutes as the battling Canada forced the game into extra-time.

The result secured Scotland an 9th place finish in the World Championships, while Canada had to settle with 10th position.

In the forth match of the day David Garza scored twice as the USA defeated Argentina 4-1 in an ill-tempered game to ensure a seventh-place finish at the Cerebral Palsy World Championships.

Goals from Garza (2), Seth Jahn and Adam Ballou guaranteed USA a place at the Paralympics next year. Matias Fernandez hit back for Argentina who had Gustavo Nahelquin sent off during the first half.

Without doubt the biggest talking point of the match came moments before the interval; Argentina goalkeeper Nahuelquin appeared to kick Ballou and after consultation with his assistant, referee Kyunyong Park was left with no choice but to show the red card and award a penalty. Garza coolly hammered the resulting spot-kick past substitute ‘keeper Claudio Figuera.

Argentina’s goal was scored by substitute Mariano Morana found Fernandez inside the box and the forward poked home to reduce the arrears.

The final whistle was greeted by jubilant cheers from the wonderful Stars and Stripes’ travelling army, their focus now turns to next summer’s Paralympics.

Last game of the day was evenly contested, it was two sumptuous strikes that proved to be the difference between England and Republic of Ireland in the 5th/6th place play-off with the hosts coming out on top.

The first half outlined just how close these two sides are in terms of work rate and overall quality, with England finishing the half in the ascendency, courtesy of Matthew Crossen’s sublime individual effort making it 1-0 to the host nation.

Jack Rutter grabbed his 8th goal of the championships through a strike curling in from the corner of the box to make it 2-0 to the hosts. Irish goalkeeper Simon Lestrange simply had no chance of reaching the strike, with Rutter placing his powerful bending effort with perfect accuracy.

England take 5th place in the tournament, with Republic of Ireland taking 6th; something both teams can be happy with.

(bye) - JAPAN

NORTHERN IRELAND 0 - 1 VENEZUELA

The first game of the day saw Northern Ireland play Venezuela in the 13th/14th place play-off match. In a highly competitive game, Venezuela came through as winners, with the final score 1-0.

The first half saw the action move from end to end with both team having good chances to take the lead but ultimately unable to find the back of the net. Venezuela went close early on when captain Olivares Morasaw his shot deflected wide of the post. Soon after Northern Ireland’s Ryan Walker went on a mazy run before shooting from the edge of the box but Venezuela’s goalkeeper, Pineda Teranwas equal to it.

As the half went on it looked like the opening goal was most likely to come from a set play but neither team could find their range. The best chance of the half came for Northern Ireland in the 23rd minute when David Leavy’s strike was somehow scrambled away through some desperate Venezuelan defending. The half time score was 0-0

The second half began with Ryan Walker going close, heading over the bar from substitute Harry Cheeseman’s corner. Venezuela created a number of openings, the best of which saw substitute Yari Villegas charge down the right flank before laying the ball off to team mate Quintana who squared the ball to Olivares Mora who saw his shot comfortably saved by Northern Ireland’s keeper, Conor Lewsley.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 54th minutes when Venezuela’s Yari Villegas picked up the ball just outside the box. He travelled forward into the area before expertly dispatching a close range shot passed the despairing Lewsley.

Northern Ireland rallied in the closing stages in an attempt to find an equaliser which would have taken the game into extra time. Both Leavy and Jordan Walker had good chances but neither could not find the target. Then in time added on for stoppages Jordan Walker had a golden opportunity but somehow managed to poke his shot the wrong side of the post.

Northern Ireland

Team: Conor Lewsley (GK), Christian Canning, Cormac Birt, Jordan Cush, David Leavy (C), Ryan Walker, Jordan Walker

Substitutes: Stephen Halpin, Charlie Fogarty, Harry Cheeseman

Booked: Harry Cheeseman (54”)

Venezuela

Team: Frank Renee Pineda Teran (GK), Daniel Enrique Sanchez (C), Richard Alexander Mogollon Melendez, Asdrubal Eusabio de Jesus Olicares Mora, Peter Antoni Alvarado Gonzalez, Saul Eliecer Torres Villegas, Jose Luis Felipe Quintana

Substitutes: Gabriel Alfredo Medina Diaz, Jessi Junior Yari Villegas, Marcos Tulio Cardenas Nieto, Angel Evelio Molina Camacho, Marlon Alexander Bello (GK)

Scorers: Jessi Junior Yari Villegas (53”)

Details

Match officials: Jorge Barbisan, Tom Elliott, Carlos Dias, Kyunyong Park
Attendance: TBC

AUSTRALIA 1 - 1 PORTUGAL (P)

A Six-man Portugal were triumphant over Australia after beating them in a penalty shoot-out, as the game finished 1-1 after extra time.

The European side were out seeking revenge on the Pararoos, after being defeated 2-0 in the group stage.

Portugal’s captain Vitor Vilarinho spearheaded the attack as his shot from distance troubled Christopher Barty in the Australian goal, forcing him to parry ball straight to the feet of Hugo Pinheiro. The Portuguese striker volleyed home and put his side one goal in front in the 7th minute.

Australia did not waste any time to draw level, pressuring the Portuguese defence into conceding a penalty, which was dispatched clinically by captain Christopher Pyne in the 10th minute.

Both sides battled in midfield as aggressive tackles flied in from both sides, causing referee Jon Burridge to show the yellow card on numerous occasions.

Portugal’s Pinheiro nearly doubled his goal tally just before half-time, although Barty was equal to the shot.

The start of the second half saw Portugal start the brightest, until they were dealt a hammer blow when attacker Tiago Ramos received a second yellow card, reducing Portugal to six men.

However, the European side were still able to hold their own, but Australia began to grow more in to the game and looked to take advantage of the extra man.

Australian coach Kai Lammert turned to veteran David Barber to inspire his team, as he joined the action from the bench in the 50th minute.

Rui Rocha produced some fantastic saves in the Portuguese goal, as he denied an almost goal certain shot from James Turner in the 54th minute.

Portugal managed to see the rest of the game out into extra-time thanks to Vilarinho’s hold up play, which began to frustrate the opposition into committing fouls.

The highlight of extra-time came in the form of another Australian penalty decision in the 72nd minute. Substitute Barber stepped up to take the glory, only to be denied by a brilliant save from Rocha.

After a closely fought 70 minutes of play, the outcome was to be decided by penalties. The shoot-out came down to a sudden death face-off between the two goalkeepers.

Rocha capped a brilliant performance with a penalty conversion, whereas it was heartbreak for his opposite number Barty, who saw his penalty saved and Portugal clinch the match 4-3 on penalties.

The victory secured Portugal an 11th place finish in the World Championships, while Australia had to settle with 12th position.

Australia

Team: Christopher Barty (GK), Benjamin Roche, Christopher Pyne (C), Thomas Goodman, Ben Atkins, James Turner, Zachary Jones

Substitutes: Jack Williams, David Barber, Connor Marsh, Angus MacGregor, Cameron Gudgeon, Ned McCabe (GK)

Scorers: Christopher Pyne (11")
Booked: Benjamin Roche (16"), David Barber (56")

Portugal

Team: Rui Miguel Ferreira Rocha (GK), Hugo Manuel da Silva Pinheiro, Vasco João Gomes dos Santos, Rúben Miguel Sousa Oliveira, Vítor Emanuel Ribeiro Vilarinho (C), Pedro Filipe Fernandes dos Santos, Tiago Ribeiro Baptista Ramos

Substitutes: Ricardo Santos França, Cláudio Filipe Ferreira Nóvoa, Tiago Carneiro, Andre Ferreira, Sérgio Manuel Silva Barros, Lucas de Souza Semblano Pinheiro, Telmo Luís dos Santos Baptista (GK)

Booked: Hugo Manuel da Silva Pinheiro (18"), Tiago Ribeiro Baptista Ramos (22"), Pedro Filipe Fernandes dos Santos (28")

Sent Off: Tiago Ribeiro Baptista Ramos (37")

Details

Match officials: Jon Burridge, Hector R Bondia, Scott Henry, Ashley List
Attendance: TBC

SCOTLAND 5 - 3 CANADA AET

A Trevor Stiles hat-trick was not enough for Canada as they succumbed to a 5-3 defeat at the hands of Scotland in the play-off for 9th/10th place.

Goals from Kyle Hannin, Martin Hickman, Ian Paton, Jonathan Paterson and Barry Halloran ensured victory for Scotland in their final match of the tournament.

But they made hard work of it, conceding a two goal advantage in the final 15 minutes as the battling Canada forced the game into extra-time.

Chances had been sparse during the first 30 minutes with both sides struggling to maintain possession for long periods of time in what was a very cagey affair.

Scotland thought they had broken the deadlock on the brink of half-time. A long free-kick descended awkwardly towards the Canada goalmouth and the ball bounced off defender Sam Charron into the goal.

However, the Scottish celebrations were cut short when Charron was adjudged by referee Minesh Gupta to have been impeded and a free-kick was awarded to the Canucks instead.

The second-half was a different story, though, as Hannin and Hickman put Scotland on course for a comfortable victory with two goals in the space of three minutes.

Substitute Hannin was teed up by Mark Robertson before side-footing the ball into the bottom left-hand corner in the 38th minute, and Hickman doubled their lead within minutes with a long-distance effort that goalkeeper Matt Brown could only parry into his own goal at the near post.

But, with victory looking certain, the colossal Stiles pulled one back for the Canucks thanks to a low drilled effort that beat Craig Connell at the far post.

And, against all odds, Stiles completed the comeback with a 56th minute equaliser. Sam Charron found the forward, who finished off the move from close-range inside the box.

Though it could have got a lot worse for Andrew Smith’s side when Stiles struck the outside of the left post in injury time. Charron again picked him out, and Stiles advanced into the box.

However, with his path blocked, the maverick was forced to take the ball away from goal before squeezing his shot in from a very tight angle to hit the woodwork.

And after surviving that scare, Paton allowed Scotland some breathing space when he restored their lead in the first ten minutes of extra time with a stunning long-range lob from the half-way line, punishing Canada shot-stopper Brown for drifting so far off his line.

But, Stiles, like an annoying cough that will not go away, pegged the Scots back once more- completing his hat-trick with a close-distance shot that deflected off defender Blair Glynn and through the keeper’s legs.

Ultimately, though, Scotland produced that extra bit of quality to finally see the game off with penalties looming. Paterson took advantage of Canada’s failure to clear the ball and made it 4-3, before Halloran sealed the win in the final minute after calmly slotting the ball into the bottom left-hand corner to finish off a fast counter-attacking move.

Scotland

Team: Craig Connell, Martin Hickman, Ross Macmillan, Ian Paton, Mark Robertson, Jamie Mitchell, Jonathan Paterson ©, Blair Glynn, Lewis Mcintyre, Kyle Hannin, Thomas Brown, Scott Martin, Barry Halloran

Substitutes: Kyle Hannin for Ross Macmillan (30”), 13 Barry Halloran for Mark Robertson (49”), 2 Blair Glynn for Martin Hickman (60”)

Goals: Kyle Hannin (38”), Martin Hickman (41”), Ian Paton (64”), Jonathan Paterson (78”), Barry Halloran (80”)

Bookings: Yellow cards: Kyle Hannin (65”) Barry Halloran (80+1”)

Canada

Team: Matt Brown, Liam Stanley, Sam Charron, Dustin Hodgson, Vito Proietti, Trevor Stiles, Nick Heffernan

Substitues: Yuri Woodfall, John Phillips, Damien Wojtiw

Goals: Trevor Stiles (45”, 56”, 66”)

Details

Match officials: Minesh Gupta, Carlos Dias, Adam Panter, Jorge Barbisan
Attendance: 159

ARGENTINA 1 - 4 USA

David Garza scored twice as the USA defeated Argentina 4-1 in an ill-tempered game to ensure a seventh-place finish at the Cerebral Palsy World Championships.

Goals from Garza (2), Seth Jahn and Adam Ballou guaranteed USA a place at the Paralympics next year. Matias Fernandez hit back for Argentina who had Gustavo Nahelquin sent off during the first half.

The Stars and Stripes went on the offensive from the off; a long throw-in from Jahn was acrobatically diverted towards goal by Garza, but his unconventional effort landed just outside the post.

Adam Ballou was next to try his luck for the USA, his side-footed effort hit the foot of the post, before Jahn inexplicably fired the rebound straight at the helpless Nahuelquin, who was on the ground having failed to reach the earlier effort.

Argentina created a chance of their own through star man Matias Bassi, but he couldn’t find a way past Marthell Vazquez from close range.

Without doubt the biggest talking point of the first half came moments before the interval; Argentina goalkeeper Nahuelquin appeared to kick Ballou and after consultation with his assistant, referee Kyunyong Park was left with no choice but to show the red card and award a penalty. Garza coolly hammered the resulting spot-kick past substitute ‘keeper Claudio Figuera.

Another long throw from Jahn was again met by Garza; but the defender couldn’t find the net for the second time in quick succession.

Garza was left frustrated again a few minutes later, after collecting a long ball from USA captain Kevin Hensley, he showed excellent chest control before firing across the goalkeeper, but once again Figuera was equal to the test.

Jahn showed great awareness to play Mason Abbiate through on goal, but Argentina skipper Rodrigo Lugrin produced a terrific last-ditch challenge to deny USA a deserved second goal.

USA extended their lead as Jahn got his name on the scoresheet. The big forward received the ball from Balliu before rattling a shot in at the far post.

But Argentina instantly pulled a goal back, substitute Mariano Morana found Fernandez inside the box and the forward poked home to reduce the arrears.

The Stars and Stripes made sure of the win with three minutes remaining; Garza received the ball in the box, he was challenged by Figuera, but he turned out and found Ballou who had a simple tap in.

There was even time for Garza to add his second of the game through a well-placed free-kick following more irresponsible play by Figuera who handled the ball outside the area.

The final whistle was greeted by jubilant cheers from the wonderful Stars and Stripes’ travelling army, their focus now turns to next summer’s Paralympics.

Argentina

Team: Gustavo Nahuelquin (GK), Pablo Matias Molina, Mariano Cortes, Rodrigo Adolfo Luquez, Matias Agustin Bassi, Rodrigo Eloy Lugrin (C), Matias Emiliano Fernandez

Substitutes: Claudio Omar Figuera (GK), Maximiliano Sebastian Fernandez, Ezequiel Anibal Jaime, Duncan Coronel, Mariano Andres Morana, Matías Salvat, Juan Alberto Alabarce

Scorers: Matias Emiliano Fernandez (46”)

Booked: Gustavo Nahuelquin (GK) (30), Matias Emiliano Fernandez (31”), Mariano Cortes (60")

USA

Team: Marthell Alonso Vazquez (GK), Gavin James Sibayan, Seth David Jahn, Adam Kyle Ballou, Kevin Tyler Hensley, Mason Dane Abbiate, David Navarro Garza (C)

Substitutes: Keith Edward Johnson (GK), Michael Robert Moore, Bryce Zachary Boarman, Tyler Allen Bennett

Scorer: David Navarro Garza (C) (30" 59"), Seth David Jahn, Adam Kyle Ballou (57”)

Details

Match officials: Kyunyong Park, Ashley List, Scott Henry, Jon Burridge
Attendance: 151

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND 0 - 2 ENGLAND

Double serving of wonder strikes sees off Ireland, as England win 2-0.

In a game that was evenly contested, it was two sumptuous strikes that proved to be the difference between England and Republic of Ireland in the 5th/6th place play-off at the Cerebral Palsy World Championships 2015 with the hosts coming out on top.

The half was not without its drama, with Ireland’s Paraic Leacy collapsing off the ball. After an extended stoppage however, Leacy was able to leave the pitch unaided to a deserved round of applause.

Crossen shortly switched the attention back to the football with a simply dazzling solo goal, finished off with an inch perfect chip over the goalkeeper Simon Lestrange, from a seemingly impossible position.

Ireland also outlined their quality, but for all their effort were unable to break down a resilient England defence with Gary Messet one of the best players on the pitch.

England resumed the second half with much more control over the Irish side, with Ireland creating no real openings in their attempt to level the score line.

Jack Rutter grabbed his 8th goal of the championships through a sublime strike, curling in from the corner of the box to make it 2-0 to the hosts. Irish goalkeeper Simon Lestrange simply had no chance of reaching the strike, with Rutter placing his powerful bending effort with perfect accuracy.

Ireland’s only half chance came through the persistent Messet whose unleashed a long-range strike, cutting in from the right to give Giles Moore something to think about, with the England goalkeeper originally spilling the shot before pouncing on the goal-bound ball.

Ireland were unable to create as much as they had done in the first half and as a result allowed England to control proceedings. Jake brown had a golden opportunity to make it 2-0 shortly after half time, with the emerging Lestrange pulling off an amazing reaction save the keep the score line at 1-0 for a while longer.

England take 5th place in the tournament, with Republic of Ireland taking 6th; something both teams can be happy with.

Republic of Ireland

eam: Simon Lestrange (GK), Joe Markey, Luke Evans (C), Paraic Leacy, Gary Messett, Ryan Nolan, Jason Moran

Substitutes: Brian McGillivary (GK), Darragh Snell, Eric O'Flaherty, Carl McKee, Aaron Tier, Dillon Sheridan, Peter Cotter

Booked: Darragh Snell (30"), Jason Moran (46"), Joe Markey (52"), Gary Messett (52"), Luke Evans (60")

England

Team: Giles Moore (GK), Harry Baker, Mathew Crossen, Jack Rutter (C), Michael Barker, James Blackwell, Jake Brown,

Substitutes: Karl Townshend, Martin Sinclair, George Fletcher, Oliver Nugent, Ryan Kay (GK)

Scorers: Mathew Crossen (27"), Jack Rutter (52")

Booked: Michael Barker (40"), George Fletcher (59"), Jack Rutter (60")

Details

Match officials: Hector R Bondia, Tom Elliott, Keith Stroud, Adam Panter
Attendance: TBC