By BRENT STUBBS
Senior Sports Reporter
bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
Michael Butler, rebounding from an unbelievable “goal” that he gave away in the second of three periods, came up with a save in penalty shots and another in sudden death to help the Bahamas to prevail over Guatemala.
In the featured game on day one of the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship and World Cup Qualifier, the Bahamas rode the momentum of the crowd for a 2-2 win on a 5-4 decision on penalty shots.
Butler, whose team-mates awarded him the “Man of the Match,” said it was all about living up to his expectations, especially when the game was on the line. “It was an honour and a pleasure to do it for the home fans,” Butler said. “I do everything for my country. So I did it for my country. It was an honour.”
On giving up the second goal to Guatemala, Butler said he was delighted to be able to get the saves when he needed to in crunch time.
For team captain Gavin Christie, who booted in one of the penalty shots to help keep the Bahamas’ bid for the win alive, said it was redemption time as they avenged their previous two losses to Guatemala.
“It always feels good to win and win at home. It was a very tough match,” he said. “The last two matches we played them, we lost, so it was good that we finally came out on top. We didn’t play as well as we would have liked, but the important thing was that we got the victory.”
And Christie said Butler’s performance was so outstanding that he rightfully deserved the Man of the Match honours as he got the save for the team in the end.
Bahamas’ leading goal scorer in the history of beach soccer, Lesly St Fleur said they didn’t get the start they wanted, but they fought to the end and they came out with the victory. “We knew they were a running team, so we had to be well prepared,” he said. “That was why the game was so tight. It was a low-scoring affair. But we played to the best of our ability and we came out victorious.”
St Fleur, who came through with the Bahamas’ first goal from the half-court mark to even the score at 1-1 in the second period, said they were just happy that Butler came up with the save down the stretch. And coach Alexandre Soares said the game was a difficult one, but their goal was to win and keep their hopes alive for a shot at qualifying for the World Cup.
After Juan Flores scored the initial goal of the game, St Fleur answered with the equaliser for the Bahamas with 1:21 left to play in the second period. In the third period, Butler tried to dazzle the ball past Miguel Gonzalez, but the Guatemalan got away and scored. That set up the tying goal from Wood Julmis.
The game ended tied at 2-2 in regulation. In the extra three minute period, neither team could score, forcing the five penalty shots. Both teams ended up 4-4 to go to sudden death.
After Gary Joseph scored the initial attempt for the Bahamas, it came down to Guatemala’s shot and Butler gotg the save to seal the deal as the celebrations began.
But while they were thrilled to have pulled off the ein, coach Soares said he is hoping that the team would play much better in their next game today at 7:30 pm against Belize.
Belize was doubled up 4-2 by Mexico in the game ahead of the Bahamas-Guatemala match-up, thanks to two quick goals from Hector Acevedo as they held on for the win.
In the other games played, defending champions El Salvador routed Turks & Caicos 10-3 on three goals a piece from Exon Perdomo and Francisco Velasquez,
Costa Rica knocked off Guadeloupe 8-5 behind three goals from Louis Calero; Nicolas Perero also had three goals as the United States pounded the Dominican Republic 11-1 and Panama nipped Trinidad & Tobago 2-1 as Julio Watson came up with the winning shot after Alfonso Morales hot the equalizer, both in the third period.
The tournament will continue today at noon with the Dominican Republic taking on Panama; 1:30 pm Trinidad will face the USA; 3 pm Turks & Cacicos will play Costa Rica; 4:30 pm Guadeloupe will meet El Salvador; 6 pm Guatemala will battle Mexico and the Bahamas will entertain Belize in the nightcap at 7:30 pm.
Commenting has been disabled for this item.