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 Americas & Beyond | March 2008 
Defending Champions Downed by Côte d'Ivoire
 Beach Soccer Worldwide
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Today, the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2008 Qualifier Durban kicked off with the 8 participating teams each playing their opening game of the tournament. Some grey clouds threatened to spoil the fun, but they soon disappeared and Durban was ready for yet another mind blowing Beach Soccer tournament.
No surprises in the opening game of this year’s edition of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2008 Durban. Cameroon beat a disappointing Cape Verde Islands side 8-3 with an outstanding performance from Batoum who scored 4 goals.
"The first game in any tournament is always the most important, so obviously I’m very happy we’ve won. We’re here to represent our country and are delighted that there were so many fellow countrymen in the stands. It motivates us to do even better in the next game, which will probably be more complicated then today’s game," commented a very strong performing Batoum.
In group B, Egypt battled hard to conquer their first 3 points of the tournament against a very competitive Mozambique side. 8-3 was the final score.
“We came to Durban with a new tactic and it worked out exactly as I had in mind. We showed a lot of confidence and played some very good Beach Soccer, although we don’t want to jump to conclusions too fast. Tomorrow’s game against Senegal will be a whole different story”, concluded Egyptian coach Badr El-Dim Khalil.
The most exciting game of the tournament so far was a true battle between two Beach Soccer Nations who came to Durban with just one goal in mind; qualify for the World Cup in Marseilles this July. The big star of the game was the MVP of the two last editions, Frederick Aka. He demonstrated all his skills, scored three goals and led his team to victory. Final score: 4-5
“I’m thrilled with this result. We knew this first game was going to be tough. My boys had to battle to the end to beat a very strong Nigeria side. Two years ago we finished fourth, last year third, and after this victory, I think that Côte d’Ivoire has a good opportunity to qualify for this year’s World Cup”, said Emmanuel Aka, overwhelmed by joy after his team beat the defending champions.
In the game that closed matchday one, Senegal was just too strong for a young South African team that showed a lot of courage, but still have a long way to go if they want to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in its history. Final score, 4-8.
The Senegalese head coach and former football star Amadou Diop sounded very confident after his team’s first win. “After last year’s performance here in Durban and on the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2007 in Rio de Janeiro, we can’t be happy with less then qualification. I’m very proud of my boys and happy with the spirit they’ve shown on the pitch”
Results and match schedule (GMT +2)
March 25 (Tuesday) – Matches
11:00am Cameroon 8 vs. 3 Cape Verde Islands
Followed by Egypt 8 vs. 3 Mozambique
Followed by Nigeria 4 vs. 5 Côte d’Ivoire
Followed by South Africa 4 vs. 8 Senegal
March 26 (Wednesday) – Matches
11:00am Côte d’Ivoire vs. Cameroon
Followed by Senegal vs. Egypt
Followed by Cape Verde Islands vs. Nigeria
Followed by Mozambique vs. South Africa
March 27 (Thursday) – Matches
11:00am Côte d’Ivoire vs. Cape Verde Islands
Followed by Senegal vs. Mozambique
Followed by Nigeria vs. Cameroon
Followed by South Africa vs. Egypt
March 28 (Friday) – Rest Day
March 29 (Saturday) – Matches
12:45pm - (Semi-final 1): 1st Group B vs. 2nd Group A
Followed by (Semi-final 2): 1st Group A vs. 2nd Group B
March 30 (Sunday) – Matches
12:45pm - (Play Off 3rd & 4th): Loser Semi-final 1 vs. Loser Semi-final 2
Followed by (Final): Winner Semi final 1 vs. Winner Semi-final 2
 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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