By TENAJH SWEETING

Tribune Sports Reporter

tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

The opening match of the 2025 Concacaf Beach Soccer Championship did not go as planned for the “Junkanoo Beach Boyz” last night at the Malcolm Park Beach Soccer Stadium.

The host team completed regulation in a 2-2 draw, but Panama snuck away with a 4-3 victory on penalty kicks to kick off Group B play.

Team Bahamas had a strong start throughout the first two periods.

Creven Ferguson sank the ball to the back of the net at the 7th minute mark of the first period to put the host team on top 1-0. 

Wood Julmis gave the “Junkanoo Beach Boyz” a 2-0 cushion after he was on target for a goal at the 10th-minute mark of the second period.

The visiting team displayed resilience and grit in the second and third period to force an extra minute of play.

Francis Farberoff, head coach of Team Bahamas, was vocal about what went wrong for the host team in the tough, opening-night loss.

“I think we started really well. We were doing what we had practiced and we’re sticking to the game plan and went up 1-0 and missed a lot of chances. 

“I think we created opportunities [but] we just lacked composure for another goal. We missed several opportunities to go up in the score and we allowed Panama little by little to start getting back into the game. 

“Then we went up 2-0 and gave up a soft goal, let them back in, they scraped, they fought and they kept fighting and I think that is how they ended up tying the game,” he said.

Alfonso Maquensi got Panama on the scoreboard at the 9th-minute mark of the second period and shifted the score to 2-1.

His teammate Alberto Kelly made good on the equaliser at the 4th minute of the third period to give Los Canaleros momentum going into extra time. The “Junkanoo Beach Boyz” had the perfect opportunity to put away Panama down the stretch.

Veteran player Lesly St Fleur misfired on a penalty opportunity with just 10 seconds on the clock in extra time which resulted in penalty kicks.

Both teams made good on their first three attempts before Team Bahamas swapped out goalkeeper Michael Butler for Julio Jameson.

The fourth attempt was an empty opportunity for both clubs but The Bahamas’ St Fleur missed his opportunity for redemption on a crucial fifth spot kick.

Maquensi took advantage of Team Bahamas’ shortcomings and mailed in the final penalty kick for Panama.

Coach Farberoff described last night’s loss as a learning experience and expects the home team to regroup for their match against the USA today.

“We had a chance at the end to win it again [but] we didn’t take advantage of our opportunity so I think that was the difference. I think we learn from today, we regroup and keep the guys motivated,” he said.

The USA and Panama are currently tied at one point apiece on the Group B standings after their matchups yesterday.

The “Junkanoo Beach Boyz” are all set to face Team USA in the featured game tonight at 8pm.

Coach Farberoff shared his message to the group headed into today’s matchup.

“I told them that they gotta keep their heads up and this is a part of a tournament. Adversity is part of a tournament…We need resiliency right now, it is no point in blaming each other we just gotta stay together, come strong tomorrow and win the game,” he said. 

Eight nations are battling from March 11-16 for a chance at qualifying for the 2025 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

Only the top two nations will have the opportunity to advance.

The group stage continues until March 13, followed by the knockout round on March 15. The third place match will be played on March 16 along with the finals.

Admission is free for the public.