Marroquín strikes first in Guatemala debut at FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup | OneFootball

MIAMI — The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Seychelles 2025™ got underway on Thursday, with Guatemala making its debut against Japan in the opening match at the Paradise Arena in Victoria, Seychelles.

Los Chapines fell 6-2 to the Samurai Blue to open activity in Group A, which also includes Belarus and the host nation. The teams were inseparable through the first two periods.

Berny Marroquín made history in the 11’ 1P with a right-footed strike near the right edge of the pitch to score Guatemala’s first goal at a FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

Ryota Tsuboya equalized for Japan six seconds later with a spectacular bicycle kick.

Miguel González restored the lead for Guatemala two seconds after with a long-range attempt from the middle of the pitch as the 10’ 1P began.

Kosuke Matsuda struck in the 2’ 1P for Japan as the opening period ended even at two apiece.

Guatemala goalkeeper Hendrick Cordova saved a free kick attempt in the 11’ 2P to keep the scoreline unchanged in the second period.

Cordova made another difficult save in the 9’ 3P, but Japan would not be denied as goalkeeper Takeru Furusato broke the deadlock seconds after.

Japan would complete a streak of four unanswered goals as Takuya Akaguma connected a bicycle kick of his own in the 8’ 3P, followed by strikes from Ozu Moreira in the 5’ 3P and a second from Tsuboya in the 2’ 3P.

Guatemala will return to the sand at the Paradise Arena when it meets hosts Seychelles on Saturday. Fellow Concacaf nation El Salvador will start its campaign in Group D against Brazil on Friday.