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 Americas & Beyond | March 2008 
Game Over for South African Youngsters
 Beach Soccer Worldwide
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South Africa’s hopes for a first time ever appearance at a FIFA Beach Soccer World cup were blown away as the young Beach Bafana were defeated 3-2 in their second group game by neighbours Mozambique. The South African Beach Soccer team were rewarded two penalties, but they missed at both occasions and saw their dreams for continental glory fade away.
Mozambique is still in the running to qualify, but they will have to get past last year’s finalists Senegal to do so.
Côte d’Ivoire had a bumpy start to their second game of the tournament against Cameroon and they were soon 2-0 down by two goals of an again very strong playing Batoum. The Ivorians did everything they could to come back in the game and almost succeeded, Final score, 6-8 to Cameroon. The boys from Côte d’Ivoire will now have to secure their spot amongst the semi finalists in their last group game.
“My team had to beat a very strong Côte d’Ivoire side today. I now understand why they beat Nigeria on the first matchday. I think we were physically stronger then them and that’s what eventually made the difference today. The defence played solid and up front Batoum and Yopa did what they had to do, score goals”, concluded Cameroon coach Louis Bertrand Ewane.
In a very equal game, Egypt and Senegal made it very hard on each other, until the North Africans eventually took the upper hand in the extra time where Egyptian player Hany scored his third goal of the match, a goal that puts Egypt one step closer to the semi finals and the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Marseilles this July.
“The focus of the Senegal team is their giant front pairing, we did a good job in closing Koukpaki and Konate down and that’s what made the difference in this game. Today we beat a team that showed some outstanding performances on last year’s World Cup, I’m a very happy man”, said a delighted Egyptian coach Badr El-Dim Khalil after Egypt’s second win in Durban.
Nigeria did what it had to do, they won against the Cape Verde Islands, and how! 2-12 was the final result with 6 goals from Beach Eagle superstar Olawale, who was just too fast for the disappointing Cape Verde Island defence.
“We were very disappointed after yesterday’s loss against Côte d’Ivoire. We couldn’t afford to lose any points again today. We did what we had to do, take the 3 points and score as much goals as possible. Mission accomplished”, Added the goal getter.
Results and match schedule (GMT+2)
March 25 (Tuesday) – Matches
11:00am Cameroon 8 x 3 Cape Verde Islands
Followed by Egypt 8 x 3 Mozambique
Followed by Nigeria 4 x 5 Côte d’Ivoire
Followed by South Africa 4 x 8 Senegal
March 26 (Wednesday) – Matches
11:00am Côte d’Ivoire 6 x 8 Cameroon
Followed by Senegal 4 x 5 Egypt (ET)
Followed by Cape Verde Islands 2 x 12 Nigeria
Followed by Mozambique 3 x 2 South Africa
March 27 (Thursday) – Matches
11:00am Côte d’Ivoire x Cape Verde Islands
Followed by Senegal x Mozambique
Followed by Nigeria x Cameroon
Followed by South Africa x Senegal
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
July 8 (Sunday) – Matches
12:45pm - (Play-Off 3rd-4th): Loser M14 vs. Loser M15
Followed by - (Final): Winner M14 vs. Winner M15
 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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