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 News from Around Banderas Bay | April 2008 
Mexico Defeats All Star Team 5-2 in Final Contest in Puerto Vallarta
 Hans Vandamme & Bob Cohen - PVNN
In a game that showcased the undefeated Mexican team against an All Star team made up of players from the United States, El Salvador and the Costa Rica squads and also included three players from Brazil, Switzerland and France, was the final game played in the extremely successful Beach Soccer Qualifying Tournament. The stands were full once again in more of a party like atmosphere since Mexico already clinched a berth to the World Cup.
Generally All Stars games in most sports are offensive showcases to the delight of fans that want to see scoring and more scoring, but this game started at a very slow pace and Dejan Stankovic, a Swiss player who was possibly the best player on the field for both teams, scored the opening goal for the All Stars. Team Mexico answered back as Issac Rodriguez scored and the 1st period ended at 1-1.
Ricardo Villalobos scored for Mexico early in the 2nd period on a disputed free kick that was originally waved off before the head judge permitted the goal to stand. Jose Ruiz of El Salvador answered back to tie the contest at 2-2. Then Villalobos scored again on another free kick to end the 2nd period with Mexico in the lead 3-2.
All appearances led the cheering partisan crowd to believe that the 3rd period could prove to be hotly contested by the All Stars but Gustavo Rosales of Mexico scored on yet another free kick to widen the lead. Morgan Plata, a crowd favorite and who was the 2nd leading scorer in last year's World Cup, scored late in the game to erase any chance the All Stars had for a victory. The game ended with Mexico on top 5-2. Villalobos was named the MVP of the contest as the Mexican team paraded with the winner's cup around the stadium for the 2nd consecutive day.
Mexico was unbeaten in the three games that proved they were the dominant team in the qualifying round and swept the table by winning the All Star contest. Mexico will attempt to do one game better in the World Cup in France in July. We will keep our readers updated as teams play qualifiers around the world to see how the 16 team field sets up.
Organizers of the event were thrilled with the fan support, quality of play as well as the venue that was completed less than a week before the weekend series. All staff did a tremendous job as did the local officials and all hope that the event will be played once again In Puerto Vallarta next year. A special thanks goes out to Hans Vandamme for all of his assistance and expertise, allowing BanderasNews to report each days action just hours after the games concluded.
2008 World Cup Beach Soccer Qualifying Results:
April 20
Mexico 5 x All Stars 2
April 19 - click here for report
El Salvador 4 x Costa Rica 3
Mexico 2 - USA 1
April 18 - click here for report
El Salvador 6 x USA 5
Mexico 7 - Costa Rica 0
April 17 - click here for report
USA 7 x Costa Rica 2
Mexico 4 - El Salvador 2
 Click here for the All Star report (PDF)
 BanderasNews was very fortunate to have Beach Soccer Press Manager Hans Vandamme of Belgium and now residing in Barcelona, Spain assist us in reporting daily match results, photos and quotes from coaches and players. Hans will also be keeping our readers updated on all the qualifiers around the globe until the final 16 teams reach the finals in Marseilles, France. It is great to have Hans on board the BanderasNews team. To access more information about the growing sport, visit BeachSoccer.com.
 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2008
Follow the competition from Durban, to Puerto Vallarta, Buenos Aires, Dubai, and Benidorm on the road leading up to the final championship matches in Marseille, France, the host country for the 2008 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. |
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