The Concacaf Futsal Championship (CFC) reached its semifinals stage after yesterday's quarterfinal duels. Four teams punched their way through, but not only to the CFC semifinals but to the Futsal World Cup in Lithuania as well.
United States, Panama, Costa Rica, and Guatemala will represent the CONCACAF region at the World Cup.
>>> (HIGHLIGHTS) Group stage finished in the CONCACAF Futsal Championship
United States 2-0 Dominican Republic
The first quarterfinal match was played between two very interesting teams that futsal pundits were emphasizing as teams to watch in this competition. And the match duly delivered.
The United States took an early lead in the first half thanks to a beautiful backheel flick by Raphael Araujo. Tomas Pondeca extended the American's lead in the second half which proved to be enough to secure the semifinal stage.
USA's Head Coach Dušan Jakica will also be pleased with the performance of his defense and especially with Diego Moretti who kept a clean sheet.
This will be the sixth time that the United States will play in the Futsal World Cup, but their first one after Brazil in 2008. Welcome back!
Panama (p)1-1 Canada
After the drama of penalties, Panama secured its semifinal and World Cup berth. They will play on the big stage for a third consecutive time.
Abdiel Ortiz gave Panama the lead, but Ian Bennett leveled for Canada. This result would hold for the entire match, leading to the penalty shoot-out.
Panama's players showed more composure in the end and secured the semifinal thanks to a 4-3 result in penalties. Panama was the finalist in the latest CFC and is on course again.
Costa Rica 12-1 Suriname
A blowout victory for the defending champions! Costa Rica defeated Suriname to secure yet another Futsal World Cup as they lock down the CFC title in their sight.
Emmanuel Gamboa and Pablo Rodriguez scored hat-tricks equaling half of their team's goals last night. Juan Cordero scored two, while Edwin Cubillo, Victor Fonseca, and Minor Cabalceta added one goal each, with Suriname adding an own goal to the list.
Murgillio Esajas scored Suriname's consolation goal.
Guatemala (p)3-3 El Salvador
A fantastic futsal match was given to us by the CFC host nation Guatemala and El Salvador. Eventually, the match had to be decided on penalties after an intense extra time.
El Salvador took the two-goal lead thanks to efforts by Rodrigo Contreras and Erick Martinez. However, Guatemala was able to strike back thanks to goals by Jose Mansilla Ramos and Roberto Alvarado, with the match then going to extra time.
Guatemala took the lead thanks to the second goal of Alvarado, but David Sandoval equalized for El Salvador to bring the match to penalties.
Hosts were better after the shoot-out and thanks to 4 goals scored from the spot, in comparison to El Salvador's 3, progress to the semifinal and the Futsal World Cup where they will play for the fifth time.
Semifinal duels are on schedule on Saturday and Sunday. Panama will face Costa Rica later today (15:00 local time), while Guatemala and United States will duel on Sunday (18:00 local time).
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