France World Cup -BEACH SOCCER

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big win for france over spain

[Frank Cunha]

photo of Madjer in action

http://www.portuguesesoccer.com/

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THE DAY REPLAYED - With a a pair of extremely tight matches and two more that were fairly one-sided, there was something for everyone this Saturday on Copacabana beach on the third day of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2006.

When the dust finally settled on proceedings, one side had made it through to the quarter-finals while another had seen their chances of advancing go up in smoke.
Argentina were made to suffer before finally seeing off Bahrain to rubber-stamp their qualification, while Italy lost their way during a crazy finale against Nigeria and can kiss goodbye to Rio de Janeiro. As for Uruguay and Portugal, they have taken a huge step towards the second round and can secure their respective berths in two days time with wins in their final group stage games.

Uruguay 10 - 5 Solomon Islands: the Celeste get back on track
After defeat in their opening game at the hands of Portugal, the Uruguayans were expected to react positively against newcomers the Solomon Islands. And that is exactly what they did, refusing to allow their opponents the slightest chink of hope. Although the Bilikiki Boys managed five goals, they never looked capable of worrying the hugely determined South Americans, who will be through to the quarter-finals if they can repeat the success when they play Cameroon. Unless, that is, the Solomon Islands send everyone scampering for their calculators by pulling off a surprise win over Portugal.

Nigeria 4 - 3 Italy: Ciao, Italia
There is no doubt that the morale of the Italian players is at rock bottom right now. Stung badly in their opener by a Bahrain side playing a seductive brand of football, the Azzurri endured an even worse scenario on Saturday. Leading 3-1 with just minutes to go, Italy proceeded to fall apart in the face of the Super Eagles' storming finish, eventually losing 4-3. Massimo Agostini's men are therefore already eliminated, while Nigeria will try to condemn Bahrain to the same fate in their final group game in order to ensure their own place in the quarter-finals.

Cameroon 3 - 10 Portugal: Portugal playing for fun
The Indomitable Lions may have come to Rio de Janeiro mainly to enjoy themselves, but the boot was on the other foot on Saturday in their encounter with Portugal. Firmer favourites than ever for victory this year, Portugal served up a masterclass in technical prowess that not only dazzled the public, but also their opponents on the day. With their star play Madjer well and truly up for it, Ze Miguel's charges as good as guaranteed their qualification for the next stage of the event. Only via a highly unfeasible reversal of fortunes could the Iberians now be left on the sidelines and the African champions go through to the quarter-finals.
Bahrain 1 - 2 Argentina: Albiceleste make the quarters
Although this was definitely the closest contest since the tournament began, Argentina did what they had to do in narrowly defeating a solid Bahrain side. The heroes of the hour for the Argentines were brothers Ezequiel and Federico Lopez Hilaire. With six points now on the scoreboard, the South Americans are the first side to mathematically qualify for the quarter-finals and will be free to rotate their squad in their last match against Italy. Bahrain, meanwhile, must now prepare for a do-or-die encounter with surprise package Nigeria. Only the winner of this clash will get to fight another day on the sands of Rio.

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results so far

A
USA- JPN 4-8
BRA - POL 9-2
BRA - JPN 10-2
POL - USA 2-4
BRA - USA
POL - JPN
B
CAN - IRN 6-6 (1-0 PSO)
ESP - FRA 4-7
FRA - CAN 8-1
IRN - ESP 1-6
FRA - IRN
ESP - CAN
C
POR - URU 5-4
SOL - CMR 5-2
URU - SOL 10-5
CMR - POR 3-10
CMR - URU
SOL - POR
D
ARG - NGA 5-4
ITA - BHR 2-4
NGA - ITA 4-3
BHR - ARG 1-2
BHR- NGA
ITA - ARG

[Frank Cunha]

I'm surprise at the Italy vs Nigeria result, that's a upset

[Frank Cunha]

Madjer scored 8 goals in two games
photo
http://www.fpf.pt/scriptnews/view/show.php?id=3810

[Frank Cunha]

next game for Portugal

Solomon Islands

http://www.record.pt/noticia.asp?id=725857&idCanal=4

[Frank Cunha]

Portugal wins the group and next plays Bahrein in the quarter finals

photo
http://www.fpf.pt/scriptnews/view/show.php?id=3812

[verde-rubro]

Quarter-finals taking shape

THE DAY REPLAYED - For the first time since the start of this year's FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Rio de Janeiro, fans and players alike were able to enjoy a full day of uninterrupted sunshine. The upturn in weather also coincided with a decisive day out on the pitch as the final round of matches in Groups C and D drew to a nail-biting climax. As the dust settles on the Copacabana, the identities of five of the eight quarter-finalists are now known.

Portugal and Uruguay both made it safely through to the last eight, although in contrasting style, where they will be joined by tournament surprise packages Bahrain. Bidding farewell to the competition are African representatives Nigeria and Cameroon, while 6 November also turned out to be a sad day for the Solomon Islands, who failed to build on their opening-game win and also head home.
Bahrain 5-5 Nigeria (4-3 PEN): Welcome back Omar!
Having been denied the services of striker Abdulla Omar in the first two group games, the forward jetting home for family reasons prior to his side's opener with Italy, Bahrain coach Gustavo Zlocewick was delighted to welcome his star man back for the final group game against Nigeria. The Asian champions' No.2, a professional player for the Muhraq club back in Bahrain, arrived back in Brazil just in time to help his side qualify for the next round in a dramatic penalty shoot-out. Their opponents, the Super Eagles, had been on the verge of another last-gasp success to follow their late fightback against Italy on Saturday, only for the game to slip from their grasp in the decisive shoot-out. Cue emotional scenes on the sand of the Copacabana beach as the Asian side hoisted Zlocewick onto their shoulders for a lap of honour, and threw their shirts into the crowd. A stark contrast to the Nigerian camp, who left the playing area with dejection clearly etched on their faces. For the winners however, there will be no time for extended celebrations. Up next are the mighty Portugal, runners-up last year and in imperious form this time around. Not that coach Zlocewick is overly concerned. "They don't worry me, I've coached them (Portugal) before and they know that I know all about them," he warned. "I bet that they don't want to play against us. Now we've got our sights set on going even further."

Cameroon 3-3 Uruguay (1-0 PEN): Bittersweet defeat
Mixed feelings were the order of the day for Uruguay coach Venancio Ramos as he watched his side lose out on penalty kicks to African side Cameroon. Despite their second defeat in three games the South Americans still managed to book a quarter-final berth after finishing second in Group C. Their opponents were not so fortunate, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon missing out on the next round despite ending their campaign on a winning note. Joseph Bell's charges have improved with every game, although the same cannot be said of an Uruguay line-up struggling desperately to recover their form from qualifying. "We know that we can perform much better than this, but at the end of the day I'm happy to have made it through," explained a relieved Ramos after the game. Up next in a classic quarter-final encounter are neighbours Argentina, winners of Group D.

Italy 1-3 Argentina: contrasting emotions
With the fates of both sides already decided before this game, Group D bottom side Italy looked to salvage some pride against an Argentine line-up safely assured of a place in the last eight. True to form, the Albiceleste strode to their third group win, the goals that guaranteed a maximum nine points from three games coming via a brace from Federico Andrade and yet another Santiago Lopez Hilaire strike. The Azzurri, who had been among the pre-tournament favourites, must now head for home without a single point to show for their efforts. "I'm the one who must take the lion's share of responsibility for this performance," admitted Italy coach Massimo Agostini, before adding: "I'm hoping to be able to start afresh as of tomorrow and begin planning for the future with a whole host of changes." The focus in the Argentine camp must now turn to their quarter-final clash - a familiar derby against neighbours Uruguay. "We know each other really well, we've got similar styles. It's going to be a very tightly contested and evenly matched game. We desperately want to reach the last-four, and we'll be going all out to achieve our goal," warned Argentina coach Francisco Petrasso.

Solomon Islands 2-14 Portugal: Madjer and Co. march on
In the day's final game, the Solomon Islands kicked off needing a win against the in-form Portuguese to stand a chance of making it through to the next round. With the odds heavily stacked against them from the start, the Bilikiki Boys were powerless to stop their European opponents cruising to the biggest score of the tournament thus far. Madjer and Alan were in inspired form as the Lusitanians put on a masterclass of beach soccer, combining back-heels, overhead kicks, and scissor-kicks to dazzling effect. After three wins in three games, the team coached by Ze Miguel were rewarded for topping Group C with a quarter-final showdown against tournament dark horses Bahrain. No easy task, as forward Belchior explains: "They're new to the sport, but they have a great coach who knows all about the game (of beach soccer). But if we want to become world champions then we need to beat them and keep taking things one game at a time."

Portugal strut their stuff

Portugal kept up their winning ways with a 14-2 demolition of the Solomon Islands.
Although they knew they were much better than the Solomon Islands, the Portuguese showed their opponents all due respect in claiming an easy 14-2 win in their last group stage game at Rio de Janeiro 2006. The world and European runners-up will now face Bahrain in a quarter-final clash from which they will expect to progress.
Despite never really troubling their illustrious opposition in this match, the Bilikiki Boys will retain as many good memories as they have left with the Brazilian spectators.

''It was our dream to reach the quarter-finals, but unfortunately my players are not yet experienced enough to be able to apply my instructions to the letter. But in any case, we have nothing to regret, as we gave it our all,'' declared their coach Eddie Omokirio.

Ze Miguel's men certainly did not allow the Oceanians much chance to get their hopes up. In a first period that was all one-way traffic, Portugal found the time to score four goals. At the other end of the pitch, their keeper Bruno was able to bask in the Copacabana sunshine practically undisturbed.

In such an unbalanced encounter, the scoreline - the heaviest of the competition so far - was of little importance in the end. Madjer confirmed his status as tournament top scorer courtesy of four more successful strikes. Meanwhile, goals from Richard Anisua and Joe Luwi offered the islanders two last opportunities to celebrate.

At the final whistle, the Portuguese coach Ze Miguel was understandably delighted with his team's authoritative performance.

''Rather than taking the opposition lightly, my players approached this game seriously and fully focussed. It's this attitude which made the difference today, as it meant the match quickly became easy for us.''

Referees: Alberto Moreira (BRA), Zondo Thabani (RSA), Sofien Benchabane (FRA)

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results so far

A
USA- JPN 4-8
BRA - POL 9-2
BRA - JPN 10-2
POL - USA 2-4
BRA - USA
POL - JPN
B
CAN - IRN 6-6 (1-0 PSO)
ESP - FRA 4-7
FRA - CAN 8-1
IRN - ESP 1-6
FRA - IRN
ESP - CAN
C
POR - URU 5-4
SOL - CMR 5-2
URU - SOL 10-5
CMR - POR 3-10
CMR - URU 3-3 (1-0 PSO)
SOL - POR 2-14

D
ARG - NGA 5-4
ITA - BHR 2-4
NGA - ITA 4-3
BHR - ARG 1-2
BHR- NGA 5-5 (4-3 PSO)
ITA - ARG 1-3

Quarter-finals

25 09 Nov 06 09:40 FRA - 2nd A
26 09 Nov 06 11:00 1st A - 2nd B
27 09 Nov 06 12:20 POR - BHR
28 09 Nov 06 13:40 ARG - URU

Semi-finals

29 11 Nov 06 09:30 W25 - W27 or W28*
30 11 Nov 06 11:00 W26 - W27 or W28*

need to see if we would meet Brasil in the semis or final if we beat Bahrain

[Frank Cunha]

do you have the total goals for Madjer

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no

[Frank Cunha]

he had 8 before today's game

[verde-rubro]

Well it looks like we will face Brasil in the semi if we both can win our Quarter-finals games

Quarter-finals

25 09 Nov 06 09:40 FRA - JPN
26 09 Nov 06 11:00 BRA - CAN
27 09 Nov 06 12:20 POR - BHR
28 09 Nov 06 13:40 ARG - URU

Semi-finals

29 11 Nov 06 09:30 W25 - W28
30 11 Nov 06 11:00 W26 - W27

Final

32 12 Nov 06 11:00 W29 - W30

Match for 3rd place

31 12 Nov 06 09:30 L29 - L30

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Tearful Spaniards say adios to Rio

THE DAY REPLAYED - After yesterday's intense sunshine and searing heat, the players had to contend with cloudy conditions and raging winds during the final round of group games at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2006 on Tuesday.

The shock of the tournament so far came in Group B, where European champions Spain slumped to defeat against Canada. Amarelle and Co. must now make the long trip home, whereas the Canucks can look forward to locking horns with hosts Brazil on Thursday. Elsewhere, Japan narrowly avoided disaster against Poland to set up a meeting with France in the next round - a repeat of their semi-final clash last year.
France 6-3 Iran: French seriousness pays dividends
Despite having already qualified as section winners, Les Bleus went into their final Group B fixture in determined mood. Ultimately, it was that attitude that spared them against a very physical Iran team. "That was undoubtedly our toughest match since the start of the World Cup," admitted Didier Saumon afterwards. "Like everyone, their players have pride and didn't want to go home without having given everything. It's good that we weren't troubled unduly." Eric Cantona's charges can now rest before their quarter-final showdown with Japan.

Brazil 10-6 USA: A chink in the favourites' armour?
At the end of the first period, the score-line in this game already matched that of the France - Iran tie at the final buzzer, which says a lot about the attacking potential of this Auriverde line-up. Once again, the hosts eased to victory to book their place in the next round, but not without a few worrying moments in defence. The Americans showed everyone that the Selecao rearguard can be got at, and Canada are certain to try and follow their example.

Spain 0-4 Canada: European champions knocked out
Among the hot favourites for the title when they touched down in Rio, Spain have astonishingly fallen at the first hurdle. After falling well short of their best in all three games, Joaquin Alonso's men miss out on the quarter-final berth that seemed to be theirs for the taking just a few days ago. Nobody should under-estimate Canada's performance, though, and with five points to their name following today's stunning win, the Canucks go down in history as the first North American team to reach the last eight at a FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. That said, their next task is certain to be a whole lot more demanding, as they pit their wits against the hosts on Thursday.

Poland 8-5 Japan: Late-goal joy for Japan
These two outfits closed out the day's play with a match of the highest drama. A win by more than three clear goals would have sent Poland through to the next round, whereas any other result favoured the Japanese. Unsurprisingly, the score-line hovered around that decisive mark for the most of the encounter, until Takeshi Kawaharazuka struck the crucial blow 30 seconds from the end. By bringing his team within three goals again (5-8), the heroic captain guaranteed qualification on the basis of goals scored in matches between Japan, Poland and the USA. That rule led to confusion on the Japanese bench after the final buzzer, but only until their progress was confirmed and the celebrations began.