Costa Rica won their opening match at the CONCACAF Futsal Championship ©Getty Images

Costa Rica began their pursuit of a third straight Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football Futsal Championship title with a 7-0 thrashing of Haiti in Guatemala City.

Minor Cabalceta scored a hat-trick in a commanding performance from the defending champions in the Group C clash at Domo Polideportivo.

Milinton Tijerino netted a brace and Juan Cordero and Jose Guevara also got on the scoresheet to give Costa Rica the perfect start to the tournament.

Panama were the biggest winners on the opening day of the event as they thumped Suriname 11-1 in Group B.

Carlos Perez bagged a hat-trick and Abdiel Castrellon, Nagdiel Del Rosaio and Abdiel Ortiz all scored twice in the rout.

Oscar Hinks and Aquiles Campos also found the net as Panama, runners-up to Costa Rica at the last edition of the event, signalled their intent to their rivals at the competition.

Hosts Guatemala also got their campaign off to a winning start as they edged out the Dominican Republic 4-2 thanks to goals from Alan Aguilar, Marvin Sandoval, Alex Alay and Pablo Gonzalez.

In Group D, Nicaragua beat Cuba 4-1 and the United States drew 1-1 with El Salvador.

The tournament is due to continue tomorrow.