| | |  News from Around Banderas Bay | June 2009 
CONCACAF: Top Spot Duels in Store - Day 2
 BeachSoccer.com
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June 18, 2009
| | The Puerto Vallarta crowd will be served more beach soccer spectacle on Friday (BSWW/David Diaz) | |
Day two of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2009 Qualifier CONCACAF Puerto Vallarta is in the past. USA and Mexico were the absolute highlights on kick-off day racing past opponents Bahamas and Canada, and proving they have the credentials to go al the way. On Wednesday, last year’s surprise-act El Salvador and Costa Rica were next up to hit the sand.
Struggling to get past Beach Soccer heavyweights USA and Mexico on past occassions, Costa Rica still seeks its first passage to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. To complete the task Los Ticos were drawn into Group B with debutants Bahamas and title favourites USA. On Thursday Christian Ovares charges conjured up a first class performance to send home the Bahamas, cruising past the Islanders 3-0. Tomorrow a clash with the USA will decide who will snatch top spot in Group B and advance favoured to the semis.
“We knew that it was going to be a tough game for us. Yesterday we witnessed from the stands how they netted two against the USA in their first ever match at a World Cup Qualifier. As disorganised as they can be at times, as much willpower they add to their game. We had to pull out al the stops to snatch this first victory”, said Costa Rica Captain Calvo, voted one of the best players in the 2008 edition.
“With Mexico, the USA are favourites to be finalists in Puerto Vallarta, but in the CONCACAF zone the teams know each other very well. We’ve faced them more than once, and I’m convinced we could turn out the surprise of the tournament, just like El Salvador last year”, concluded Calvo.
El Salvador move into the semis after defeating Canada 8-6 in their Puerto Vallarta curtain-raiser. It seemed as if the Canadians recovered well from yesterday’s blammage against the hosts, putting a lot of heart in today’s contest. Nevertheless, the Salvadorians had other settlements in mind and again prove that, in life, when you pursue something with courage and insistence, you obtain it. The fishermen of La Pirraya will face Raya’s forces for top spot in Group A.
Results and match schedule (GMT -6)
Wed 17.04.09 1 1700 USA 6 x 2 Bahamas
2 1815 Mexico 10 x 0 Canada
Thu 30.04.09 3 1700 Costa Rica 3 x 0 Bahamas
4 1815 El Salvador 8 x 6 Canada
Fri 01.05.09 5 1700 USA x Costa Rica
6 1815 Mexico x El Salvador
SEMI-FINALS*
Sat 02.05.09 7 5th & 6th Place 15h45 3rd of Group A vs. 3rd of Group B
8 (Semi-final 1) 17h00 1st of Group B vs. 2nd of Group A
9 (Semi-final 2) 18h15 1st of Group A vs. 2nd of Group B
*the order of Semi-finals kick-off times may be altered by the Organizing Committee
PLAY-OFF FOR THIRD / FOURTH PLACE & FINAL
Sun 03.05.09 10 (Play-off 3rd/4th) 17h30 Loser M7 vs. Loser M8
11 (Final) 18h45 Winner M7 vs. Winner M8
The six countries playing the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2009 Qualifier CONCACAF Puerto Vallarta were drawn into two groups. The top two teams from each of them will qualify for the semi finals. The two finalists will be the CONCACAF representatives at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2009, which will take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from November 16-22.
Click HERE to see the full report in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format
 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2009
Follow this year's competition from around the world on the road leading up to the final championship matches in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, this November 16th-22nd, the host country for the 2009 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. |
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