Host Brazil secured themselves spots in the quarter-finals of the 2022 IBSA Goalball Americas Championships in Sao Paulo on Saturday (19 February), as teams will fight for the last places on the final day of group play on Sunday.

The Brazilian men and women remain unbeaten in the tournament following five victories on Saturday, and sit top of their respective groups.

The top four from each pool will advance to the knock-out stages.

In the men’s Group A, Brazil (15 points), Argentina (9), Venezuela (9) and Colombia (6) are the top four, but Peru still have more games to and could secure themselves a spot.

Group B has delivered stunning performances from Mexico who are going for their first podium since the first Americas Championships in 2005. Having beaten 2019 bronze medallists Canada on Friday, they just lost out on a win to defending silver medallists the USA on Saturday by one goal.

They sit second in the group with nine points behind the USA (12 points). Canada and Puerto Rico are third and fourth with six points each. Guatemala has not scored yet but with two games in hand could, mathematically, take fourth.

In the women’s Group C sees Brazil lead with 12 points, level with Mexico who are also unbeaten. It is just as close elsewhere in the pool with Peru on six points. Guatemala and Colombia each have three.

In Group D, Tokyo 2020 silver medallists the USA have nine points, against six for Canada and Argentina. Chile and Nicaragua are yet to secure their first points and fight for the last spot. The final team in the group, Costa Rica, were disqualified after an athlete was found to be ineligible following classification. Their results are therefore voided, but the countries suggested and voted for their participation to support the development of the sport in the region.

Saturday’s results:

Women

Colombia 1 – 10 Peru
Brazil 10 – 0 Guatemala
Chile 3 – 7 Argentina
Costa Rica 1 – 11 USA
Venezuela 2 – 9 Mexico
Nicaragua 4 – 14 Canada
Peru 0 – 10 Brazil
Chile 12 – 2 Costa Rica
Mexico 4 – 2 Guatemala
USA 11 – 1 Nicaragua
Colombia 9 – 3 Venezuela
Canada 10 – 0 Costa Rica

Men’s

USA 13 – 3 Guatemala
Brazil 14 – 4 Argentina
Colombia 7 – 4 Peru
Venezuela 6 – 4 Chile
Mexico 10 – 0 Costa Rica
Canada 12 – 2 Puerto Rico
Nicaragua 0 – 10 Brazil
Mexico 11 – 12 USA
Chile 2 – 9 Peru
Venezuela 3 – 13 Brazil
Argentina 13 – 5 Nicaragua
Costa Rica 2 – 12 Puerto Rico

The 2022 IBSA Goalball Americas Championships run until 22 February. Games are being broadcast live at www.goalball.sport.

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By CBDV and IBSA