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 Americas & Beyond | April 2008 
Brazil Clinches Buenos Aires Title; Uruguay Books Ticket
 Beach Soccer Worldwide
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As much as up-and-coming squads like Paraguay, Venezuela and Chile have shown signs of dramatic improvement in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2008 Qualifier CONMEBOL Buenos Aires, there still seems to be a gap between South American traditional aces Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay and the rest of the bunch. For the 4th straight year, the triumvirate will represent the continent at the world’s premier beach soccer event, after finishing in the top 3 at the Obras Sanitarias stadium.
Coming from back-to-back world titles and unbeaten since the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2005, Brazil faced a hard time until the second period, but took control of the actions from then on against the Argentineans and came off with a 6-1 win. The opening match of the day was just as decisive as the final, though; Carrying the favouritism of being world runners-up in 2006 and having finished 3rd in 2007, Uruguay had its very last shot at a trip to Marseille when they faced Venezuela in the play-off for the 3rd place. A solid display of their gritty brand of beach soccer took them to a 5-1 victory.
“We knew from the start that our team was supposed to be in the top 3, and that was our main goal. Even after yesterday’s semifinal loss, we kept focused and confident. You have to praise the development of other countries, though: each team has shown strengths here in Buenos Aires and it is a sure thing that qualifying for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup will be tougher and tougher with time”, said Uruguayan captain Diego.
It was because of him, by the way, that the Uruguayans had yet another reason to celebrate in the individual awards ceremony, as the steady veteran added another Best Goalkeeper trophy to his uncountable tally. Brazil’s striker André was voted the Best Player of the tournament, while Argentinean Ezequiel Hilaire was the Top Scorer with 7 goals.
Named the best of player of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2007, Brazilian Buru rejoiced at the title as a preparation for their challenge in Marseille. “It was a tough tournament all the way, and I am glad we could play at our best when pressure was on. It is definitely a great way to prepare for our first world showdown away from Brazil”, said Buru.
The complete results:
Wed 23.04.08
3:15pm - Chile 8 x 5 Peru
4:30pm - Brazil 8 x 3 Uruguay
Followed by - Argentina 2 x 1 Venezuela
Thu 24.04.08
3:15pm Venezuela 5 x 4 Chile
4:30pm Paraguay 4 x 6 Brazil
Followed by - Peru 0 x 8 Argentina
Fri 25.04.08
3:15pm - Venezuela 7 x 5 Peru
4:30pm - Uruguay 5 x 4 Paraguay
Followed by - Argentina 6 x 5 Chile (2 x 1 a.e.t)
The teams played round robin within their pools and the top two of each advanced to the semifinals:
Semi-finals
Sat 26.04.08
4:30pm - Brazil 8 x 3 Venezuela
Followed by - Argentina 5 x 3 Uruguay
Sun 27.04.08**
Noon – Venezuela 1 x 5 Uruguay (Play-off 3rd/4th)
Followed by – Brazil 6 x 1 Argentina (Final)
** The two finalists and the winner of the 3rd place play-off joined France (host country); Cameroon and Senegal (CAF) and El Salvador and Mexico to be the South American representatives at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
 Click HERE for the complete matchday report (PDF)
 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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