The Colombian national team was crowned champion of the XIV South American Futsal Championship for senior players, held with great success at the Municipal Coliseum in Sopó, Cundinamarca, Colombia. The title was secured after defeating Venezuela 3-1 in a demanding final.
It was 6 exciting days in which 10 teams met for the 14th edition of the tournament, which was the first test for the renewal process of the Colombian team, after the retirement of great figures and world champions such as Jhon Pinilla, Jhon Celis, “Panadero” Estupiñán, Carlos Santofimio among others.
The group, led by coach Juan David Acevedo, showed its own identity and gradually connected with the public, who filled the stands of the Sopó Municipal Coliseum.
Hugo Pasos, “Pinillita” Michael Castiblanco, Carlos Castro “Pascuala”, Julián Porras, David Cardona, Daniel Pulgarín, Cristian Romero, Deiron Riascos, Jhon Garcés, Brayan Ángel, JJ Noguera and Kevin Ariza not only won an international title, they reminded the sporting country how powerful its futsal team is.
The challenge for the final was great, against a serious team with character and talent like Venezuela, who even took the lead with a goal from Jean Carlo Morales, but in the second half came the goals from Dieron Riascos, David Cardona and Cristian Romero.
In the clash for third place, Paraguay beat Brazil 9-5 with goals from Rolando Ascona 3, Daniel Benítez 2, Paulo Rodríguez, “Guazú” Ortiz, Ramón Mongelos and Julio Rodas.
For the Brazilians, Davyd Lucas (2), Danilo Duarte, Tiago Santos and Leonardo Dourado scored.
In the individual awards, the top scorer of the championship was the Colombian Kevin Ariza with 10 goals, while the goalkeeper with the fewest goals conceded also went to the Colombians.
The final positions in the quadrangular for the title were as follows: 1-Colombia undefeated champion, 2-Venezuela runner-up, 3-Paraguay and 4-Brazil.
