Beach Soccer Thread

[Bitter]

Over the tv, the music is just noise. Between the rhythm sections, and the crowd chants and the DJ, it sound like when two trucks passing each other at carnival.

[Bitter]

Ah fella with the name "Krash" on he jersey kick down a man... and gets sent off.

Putin is not pleased.

[Bitter]

3rd red card for Russia?

No? Ref made a mistake, gave him a "second" yellow.

[asylumseeker]

Expulsion for telling de Portuguese crowd to shove it .....

What an ass

When it happened my thought was ... Dahis what I think it is? Well big celebration pardna, maybe too big on flourish ... buh ah din expect de card. De officials clamped it one time. Happened quickly.

[asylumseeker]

Penalty drama sees Tahiti into maiden final
FIFA.com

Tahiti 6- Italy 6 (Tahiti win 3-1 on penalties)

Tahiti edged their way into their first ever FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup after winning 3-1 on penalties, following a keenly contested 6-6 draw with Italy.

Li Fung Kuee struck the winning penalty to secure the victory, after a pair of late Italian goals had forced extra-time. Paolo Palmacci had seen his effort saved by Jonathan Torohia before Kuee settled the first shootout of the tournament, with both sides remaining unbeaten in Portugal in open play. The Oceania side will face the hosts in the final.

Tahiti had found themselves ahead inside 30 seconds through Heimanu Taiarui in their bid to put the memories of their semi-final defeat on home soil two years ago behind them. Palmacci levelled only to see them fall behind 12 seconds later in a back-and-forth encounter between the Tiki Toa and the Azzurri.

Captain Naea Bennett extended that lead to two early in the second period and, while the Italians were biting at their heels throughout, they didn't taste parity again until the dying minutes. Torohia produced his first penalty save of the day, denying Gabriele Gori, only for rebound to be delicately chipped in. Ultimately though, penalties would prove to favour the islanders.

Match Highlights

[asylumseeker]

Hosts into final, end Russia's defence
FIFA.com

Portugal 4 Russia 2

Portugal booked their place in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup final with a 4-2 win, ending Russia's bid to win three straight titles.

The result sees the hosts back at in the climax of the tournament after a ten-year absence, setting up a meeting with final first-timers Tahiti.

The reigning champions had gone in front through Alexey Makarov, following tight opening exchanges that would define much of the game. However, Portugal hit back twice before the break through Jordan's long distance volley and Be Martins' free-kick to see them take hold of the lead.

Tahiti 2013 top-scorer Dmitri Shishin levelled things shortly after the restart but received a red card for his celebration, and fans were left biting their nails for much of the remaining game as both sides remained locked at 2-2.

Russia's second red card in the final few minutes proved pivotal. Yury Krasheninnikov's second yellow card saw Bruno Novo dispatch the resulting free-kick, before Martins sealed the win as the clock ticked down.

Match Highlights

End of semi-final action.

[asylumseeker]

Third place match (to be played on Sunday, July 19 at 12 noon EST)
Italy v. Russia


FIFA 2015 Beach Soccer WC Final (to be played on Sunday, July 19 at 1:30pm EST)
Portugal v Tahiti

[Bitter]

3rd place games are always funny.
Italy wasn't really into this game.

[asylumseeker]

Tahiti cyah ketch a break yet.

[asylumseeker]

Russia bounce back to grab third
FIFA.com

Russia 5 Italy 2

Russia bounced back from their semi-final defeat to convincingly claim third place in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup with a 5-2 win over Italy.

The defeat to hosts Portugal had ended Russia's hopes of picking up a third-straight title but, far from being demoralised, they flew out of the blocks and looked keen to end their spell in Espinho on a high.

It took just three minutes for them to get the ball rolling, as Egor Shekov fired them in front. They were firmly on the front foot by the time the opening period came to an end, sitting three goals to the good, after Anatoliy Peremitin and Kirill Romanov added to their tally.

Even without the suspended figures of Dmitri Shishin and Yuri Krasheninnikov, Russia never looked likely to lose their grip on the game. When Peremitin and Poporotniy both struck a 13th win in 18 meetings with Italy looked assured.

The Azzurri rattled the post before finally making a breakthrough in the third period, with Paolo Palmacci and Simone Marinai both registering, but ultimately they had to settle with losing their unbeaten record (outside of penalties) here in their final outing.
 
Match Highlights

[asylumseeker]

Portugal claim historic trophy win
FIFA.com

Portugal have won their first FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, delighting the home crowd in Espinho with a 5-3 win over Tahiti.

It was a result that saw a golden generation of beach soccer players for the Seleção finally reach the pinnacle of the game. The talismanic trio of Madjer, Belchior and Alan – who featured in their last final back in 2005 – all got on the scoresheet in a historic victory.

The win ended Tahiti's fairytale run, reaching their first final in just their third appearance at the tournament, and they were on the back foot from basically the first kick of the game. It couldn't have been a better start for the hosts, with Madjer firing in straight from kick-off – not for the first time this past ten days – to register the fastest goal of the tournament in just three seconds.

With the likes of goalkeeper Andrade keeping Tahiti at bay in the opening period, Belchior managed to double their advantage ahead of the first break. While Coimbra made it three once they returned, Tahiti rediscovered their goalscoring form which had been a feature of the tournament thus far. Tearii Labaste and Raimana Li Fung Kuee both fired in to send a ripple of tension throughout the arena.

They pushed for an equaliser but Bruno Novo was on hand to calm nerves and reinstate the two-goal advantage with a rifled long-distance free-kick ahead of the decisive final 12 minutes. Fung Kuee struck again but, with the goal gaping, missed a gilt-edged chance to bring them level for the first time since kick off and, with just 48 seconds remaining, Alan was on hand to start the party for the hosts and wrap up the game.

Match Highlights

[asylumseeker]

Goal of the Tournament
FIFA.com

The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Portugal 2015 produced countless extraordinary moments, but it is the tournament's great goals that will live longest in the memory.

FIFA.com has selected the top twelve. Now it is your turn. Until Monday 27 July (4:00am EST/TT time) you have the chance to decide which strike was a cut above the rest.

Watch them all and cast your vote to make sure your favourite wins the Goal of the Tournament.

http://www.fifa.com/beachsoccerworldcup/videos/goal-of-the-tournament/index.html

[Tallman]

WATCH: Highlights of Trinidad and Tobago’s 5-4 victory over Mexico in the Beach Soccer Lucayan Cup Challenge
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/52jwf7RG3Hw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/52jwf7RG3Hw</a>


WATCH: Post-game interview with National Beach Soccer Head Coach Benny Astorga after Trinidad and Tobago’s 5-4 win over Mexico
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/A3zhe7l8Tvo" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/A3zhe7l8Tvo</a>

WATCH Beach Soccer: Trinidad and Tobago vs Mexico (full game).
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/XrSY6kTajwo" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/XrSY6kTajwo</a>

[Tallman]

WATCH: Highlights of Trinidad and Tobago’s 5-3 victory over Bahamas in the Beach Soccer Lucayan Cup Challenge. The game was called off prematurely due to lightning and inclement weather.
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/bTvxb7BRwN4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/bTvxb7BRwN4</a>

WATCH: Trinidad and Tobago Beach Soccer team chanting
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/HiVkoCcK_-c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/HiVkoCcK_-c</a>

WATCH Beach Soccer: Bahamas vs Trinidad and Tobago (full game). T&T won 5-3.
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/or42YwA7TZA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/or42YwA7TZA</a>

[Flex]

Beach Boys show progress on the sand.
By Shaun Fuentes (Guardian).

T&T’s success at the Lucayan Cup Challenge in Bahamas last weekend is being viewed as a major stepping stone for this country’s national beach football team as they look ahead to qualification for the 2017 FIFA Beach Football World Cup.

The national team was invited by hosts Bahamas to compete against giants Mexico and the hosts as they prepare for the staging of the World Cup in 2017. And T&T did not disappoint, shocking the Mexicans 5-4 in their opening game on Saturday before defeating Bahamas 5-3 the following day to capture the title.

T&T head coach Benny Astorga attributed his team’s showing to commitment and long hours on the sand.

“This was a major accomplishment for the guys. Our first World Cup qualifying game a few years ago was against Mexico and we lost and to now come and defeat them shows that there has been progress over the past two to three years. It’s a good feeling for us,” Astorga said.

The T&T team included players such as Club Sando’s Kevon Woodley, David McDougall, Zane Coker and Chad Apoo which made it a formidable side for the match ups.

“We have players with a lot of experience having been to two Concacaf Finals and the interest is growing. Hopefully we can stay together and continue with the kind of preparations that will help us to keep on improving as we head into the qualifiers,” Astorga said.

[Flex]

Coker confident of Beach team’s chances in W/Cup qualifiers.
By Shaun Fuentes (Guardian).

National beach football team goalkeeper Zane Coker believes this country is on the right path to success and he is predicting that the team will be strong contenders for a spot at the 2017 FIFA Beach World Cup in the Bahamas.

Coker was speaking after the recent success of the team at the Lucayan Cup Challenge in the Bahamas where they defeated Mexico (5-4) and Bahamas 5-3 to win the tournament.

“There is no limit to the success this team can attain at the moment. We have the players with the right attitude and professional approach. We have the cohesiveness and brotherhood within the team which has been a major factor for us,” Coker said.

“The World Cup campaign is the big stage we always look forward to. I would not say we are a minor powerhouse. Being the number one Caribbean team and having victories over Guatemala and Mexico means we are up there with the best.”

Some of the other players who have been outstanding for the beach football team include Kevon “Showtime” Woodley, David McDougall, Chad Apoo and Lemuel Lyon. Coker who played in Switzerland earlier this year said there are now opportunities for his countrymen to play overseas.

“It was an amazing experience for me in Switzerland. Just going out there and portraying the same professionalism and efforts of playing with the beach national team made it an easy transition. I went out there and just did what I had to do and flying the red, white and black out in Europe. There are avenues now for me and other players of the national beach soccer team to play in some of the overseas Leagues,” he said.

Coker will now look forward to playing in the Tobago Beach Soccer Championship from November 13-15 of which Barcelona FC’s beach football team will be a participating team.

[Tallman]

Barcelona Beach Soccer Team excited over T&T visit
By Shaun Fuentes (TTFA)

Members of the Barcelona football team are raring ahead of the arrival in Tobago for the sixth annual Tobago Beach Soccer Championship at Turtle Beach, Heritage Park from November 13-15.

The Barcelona team will arrive in Tobago the week of the tournament and will conduct coaching clinics with youngsters and other aspiring beach football players.

“We are dedicated to bringing top class beach soccer to our shores with the finest international teams taking part in this high-performance event. It is therefore with great pleasure that we announce the participation of FC Barcelona Beach Soccer Team from Spain at this year’s event.

This will be the first time this team will compete in the Caribbean and it is indeed an honour to host them,” said President of the BagoSports Limited and the Beach Soccer of Association of T&T.

Some of the teams taking part for prize winnings amounting US$15,000 include Bienne Hatchets of Switzerland, Real Academy of Venezuela and Club Meta and Antioquia of Colombia.

“We are quite excited about this because several players who have featured for the national beach soccer team will be involved in this tournament and it will give them much needed match practice ahead of the Concacaf Beach Soccer World Cup qualifiers,” Lequay said.

[Flex]

Barca upset in Bago Beach Soccer final.
T&T Express Reports.

Swiss Chargers of Switzerland overcame FC Barcelona 2-0 to retain the championship title at the sixth annual Bago Sports Beach Soccer Championship at the Courland Heritage Park, Courland which ended on Sunday.

Chargers were up against the powerful Spanish club who included several world class players including Tahiti's Llorenc Gomez, the top scorer at the 2013 World Beach Soccer Cup (Tahiti) and 2013 Euro Beach Soccer League. He was voted the MVP at the Euro Beach Soccer League (2012).

However, Chargers' goalkeeper, Tobagonian Victor Thomas was eventually named the Best Goalkeeper of the tournament. In the final, he out-shone his rivals at Turtle Beach, denying the shooting power of Barcelona with some spectacular and crucial saves.

[asylumseeker]

Heard very, very commendable things about this event.  Keep it up.

[Flex]

One on one with Victor Thomas - T&T beach soccer goalkeeper.
By Shaun Fuentes (TTFA).

As we come to the end of the 2015 season which saw the Trinidad and Tobago Beach Soccer team capture the 2015 Lucayan Cup in the Bahamas where they defeated world powerhouse Mexico and the hosts in the process, we hear from National Beach Soccer team goalkeeper Victor Thomas in this One on One.

Thomas was in goal and scored in the 5-4 win over Mexico and also kept a clean sheet against Barcelona to help Swiss Chargers to a 2-0 win in the final of the 2015 Tobago Beach Soccer Championship last month.

What has been your best moment as a National Beach footballer?

My best moment as a National Beach football player is being able to lift  my first international trophy and being able to score against Mexico while doing so. Also a great achievement and moment/moments was representing my country as a beach soccer player.

What you think makes the difference between Beach football and regular 11 v 11 football?

I think what makes the difference between beach football and regular football is that the majority of the time, the ball is played in the air and not on the ground there are also unlimited substitutions within the game and the game being played is on a sandy area and not grass.

What made you want to play Beach football?

The reason I wanted to play beach football is because it gave me the opportunity to represent my country Trinidad and Tobago at the highest level and it’s also a opportunity to achieve something big in life. There is nothing better playing where there is sand, sea and sun .I found common interest in beach soccer compared to field football.

Do you see potential for it in Trinidad and Tobago?

There is a lot of potential for beach football in Trinidad and Tobago because we are a small island surrounded by beautiful beaches and sand. Trinidad and Tobago possesses many beach facilities in which beach football can be played.

What was the experience like playing at the Lucayan tournament in Bahamas?

The experience playing in the Lucayan Cup was very great and a wonderful experience for Trinidad and Tobago and us the players, after being victorious over Mexico and Bahamas it gave us a lot more confidence and experience that will be beneficial to us in the long run to go into next year qualifiers and compete for a World Cup spot.

Where do you see yourself in the next two years in Beach football?

In the next two years I see myself being able to apply my trade in some of the top leagues abroad, whether it’s Europe, Brazil or the U.S. And being able to participate in a FIFA World Cup. I also would like to become a well-known and high ranked athlete as a Goalkeeper.

What do you think about the work being done by the FA to develop Beach football

I think the FA is doing a tremendous job introducing the sport to a lot of young people and even in some villages and schools in Trinidad and Tobago. They are helping in promoting the sport and help in gaining  it’s recognition around Trinidad and Tobago. It doesn’t get better than that.

How have the preparations for the Beach Football World qualifiers been coming along?

The preparation for the beach football World Cup qualifiers have been coming along very well, we are training and working hard together as a team, we have a very good momentum going for us, first off by taking all the positivity  from our 5th place finish in the previous Concacaf qualifiers in El Salvador to winning the Lucayan cup and taking all the positivity into next year qualifiers. I think with all that considered, preparation have been good for us for far.

Watch the highlights T&T’s 5-4 win over Mexico

[Tallman]

Rahim plays lead role in Beach Soccer Development
By Shaun Fuentes (TTFA)

Former Trinidad and Tobago international Brent Rahim continues to play a pivotal role in the development of Beach Soccer in his position as FIFA coordinator for Beach Soccer and Futsal, operating out of the FIFA headquarters in Zurich.

Rahim who has been at FIFA for just under four years now oversees the development programs globally and has major responsibilities in ensuring beach soccer receives the necessary resources as FIFA pushes the game through its alliance with Beach Soccer Worldwide, the organisation which stages the major world events for the world governing body. He was featured on the organisations official website recently.

“Last year, good news abounded in our development programs for beach soccer. There have been some fantastic years of collaboration with Beach Soccer Worldwide, in which we have seen beach soccer developing and moving forward,” said Rahim, who is back in T&T for a few days at the moment.

“At FIFA, we have always believed that beach soccer has a huge potential in terms of development. Not only because of its easy approach, but also because of the possibilities it provides.

“Beach Soccer brings an excellent opportunity for the grassroots programs of the different football associations, at the same time it helps children improve their technique and stability on a very special surface, which will help them grow as a players, both on the grass and on the sand.

We have already tested certain techniques and it makes little sense to have one course taking place, but with no later repercussions, and no further implications. Federations need to build a development plan; they need to think about the moment and the manner in which to tackle the development actions, its objectives, the people involved, the number of individuals targeted, the resources to be invested, etc.

“This is where each of the Member Associations play an important role, as only they, and the professionals within their structure, know the realities, needs, weaknesses and strengths of their communities,” he added.

Rahim will be heavily involved in the activities leading up to the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Bahamas and he intends to see the game develop in the CONCACAF region including Trinidad and Tobago.

“FIFA will always be happy to help beach soccer blossom, and to support any interesting initiative, but the first step is, as always, to build a solid plan to rely on,” he said.

[Tallman]

WATCH: Trinidad and Tobago National Beach Soccer Player, Chad Appoo, chats with CNC3’s Caston Cupid.
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/_UVq5XhghOk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/_UVq5XhghOk</a>

[Flex]

CONCACAF issues Beach Soccer schedule.
T&T Express Reports.

Nine Caribbean Football Union teams taking part in the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship to be staged in Nassau, Bahamas, from February 20 to 26 next year, now know their schedule.

The regional governing body and Beach Soccer Worldwide disclosed the full schedule of matches yesterday which also includes Barbados, a late replacement for Guatemala, which is currently prohibited by FIFA, football’s world governing body, from taking part in international competition.

All but three of the CFU teams will take to the sand on the opening day of the tournament, with the hosts bringing the curtain down against Guyana in the night cap match.

Earlier in the day, Barbados get things rolling when they face Canada, followed by an all-CFU contest between Trinidad & Tobago and Antigua & Barbuda, then Jamaica vs Belize, Mexico vs Guadeloupe and the United States vs United States Virgin Islands.

The Championship will include a field of 16 teams. During the first four days, teams will contest a round-robin format in four groups of four teams each, as selected at the official draw for the competition held last October in Miami.

Group A consists of Bahamas, Jamaica, Belize and Guyana, with Group B comprising Mexico, Barbados, Canada and Guadeloupe.

Group C includes the United States, Trinidad & Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda and the United Virgin Islands, with Group D formed by El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama and Turks & Caicos Islands.

The winner and runner-up from each group will advance to the quarterfinals, while the third- and fourth-placed teams from each group will also participate in positioning matches over the final three match dates.
The champion and the runner-up of the competition will join host Bahamas as the three CONCACAF representatives at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup to be staged two months later in the same venue.

GROUP MATCH SCHEDULE

Monday, February 20, 2017

Barbados vs Canada
Trinidad & Tobago vs Antigua & Barbuda
Jamaica vs Belize
Mexico vs Guadeloupe
United States vs United States Virgin Islands
Bahamas vs Guyana

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Costa Rica vs Panama
El Salvador vs Turks & Caicos Islands
Guadeloupe vs Barbados
Canada vs Mexico
Guyana vs Jamaica
Belize vs Bahamas

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

United States Virgin Islands vs Trinidad & Tobago
Turks & Caicos Islands vs Costa Rica
Panama vs El Salvador
Belize vs Guyana
Antigua & Barbuda vs United States
Bahamas vs Jamaica

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Canada vs Guadeloupe
Antigua & Barbuda vs United States Virgin Islands
Panama vs Turks & Caicos Islands
Mexico vs Barbados
El Salvador vs Costa Rica
United States vs Trinidad & Tobago

[Flex]

T&T Beach Soccer Team enters Training Camp ahead of CONCACAF Qualifiers.
TTFA Media.

Trinidad and Tobago’s National Beach Soccer team will commence a ten-day training camp at Turtle Beach Tobago on Saturday as they continue preparations for the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship and World Cup qualifiers in the Bahamas next month.

Under head coach, American-born Benny Astorga, the team will be joined by several World-rated Beach Soccer players during the Tobago training camp. these players include …..

The T&T team will also enter a residential training camp in Barbados and Guadeloupe before arriving in the Bahamas for the competition.

Astoria was in high spirits ahead of the team’s upcoming programme.

“So far preparations have been nothing short of amazing. We have received everything we requested from the TTFA to ensure that the team has the best possible preparations,” Astorga told TTFA Media.

“We are really looking forward to this training camp in Tobago because it will afford us the opportunity to play some games against some of the top beach soccer players in the world today and also they will be passing on their knowledge to us during this period.

“We have been together training for a lengthy period and now this next couple of weeks will be used to put the finishing touches on our team and getting ready for the  qualifiers. We have a lot of experienced players who have been to the qualifiers in previous years and who have gained a lot of experience in foreign leagues,” Astorga added.

Among the European players who will be engaged in the training camp Tobago include Ramiro Figueiras Amarillo who is the captain of the FC Barcelona Beach Soccer team and also a FIFA Beach Soccer instructor, Spain National Beach soccer player Llorenc Gomez Leon and Italian beach soccer international Dario Ramacciotti among other players.

These players will provide match scenarios, situational training and a transfer of knowledge to the T&T players during the camp which runs until February 5th. The T&T team will then be hosted by the Barbados Football Association for a warm-up tournament from February 10-12 before traveling to Guadeloupe for five-day training camp from January 13th.

All CONCACAF qualifying matches will be played at the Malcolm Beach Soccer Facility.

The tournament will serve as the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup qualifier for teams from North, Central America and Caribbean which are members of CONCACAF, where the top two teams will qualify for the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup also in the Bahamas.

Bahamas will also host the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup and are automatic qualifiers. Should Bahamas and/or Guadeloupe (non-FIFA member) advance to the  CONCAF final, the next eligible highest-placed team will qualify for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

T&T faces Antigua/Barbuda on February 20th, US Virgin Islands on February 22nd and the United States on February 23rd.

Fifteen teams will take part in the CONCACAF qualifiers. The top two finishers from each group will advance to the quarterfinals, while the third- and fourth-placed teams will continue playing in placement matches over the final three match dates.

Caribbean Football Union (CFU): Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands, US Virgin Islands.

North America: Canada, Mexico, United States.

Central American Football Union (UNCAF): Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Panama.

[Deeks]

North America: Canada, Mexico, United States.

Why Bermuda is not there? It is right of North Carolina!!!!!

[Tallman]

WATCH: 21 men will enter a 10 day camp at Turtle Beach, Tobago from Saturday, all with the hope of representing Trinidad and Tobago in the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championships in The Bahamas in February.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/2GZOKGBMyEY" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/2GZOKGBMyEY</a>

[Flex]

T&T Beach Soccer Team off to Barbados for warm-up tournament.
TTFA Media.

Trinidad and Tobago’s National Beach Soccer team will journey to Bridgetown, Barbados on Thursday to contest the Barbados International Beach Soccer Showcase as part of their build up to the CONCACAF Beach Soccer World Cup qualifiers in the Bahamas later this month.

The team, under head coach Benny Astorga concluded an eight-day training camp at Turtle Beach, Tobago on Monday with assistance from some players from Barcelona FC’s Beach Soccer team including Spanish captain Ramiro Amarelle.

T&T will face Guyana in their opening game from 7pm on Friday and will then come up against Barbados on Saturday before closing against England’s Beach Soccer team on Sunday.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to get some warm-up matches in Barbados before we head off to Bahamas for the tournament,” Astorga told TTFA Media.

“We’ve had a wonderful training camp in Tobago over the past few days. It was very intense and the guys learnt a lot and are now looking forward to the matches ahead after finalising the 15-man squad,” he added.

Astorga said the experience of training with Amarelle and his Barcelona teammates was hugely beneficial to his players.

“It was great for our guys to be able to engage in such lengthy training sessions with those players from Europe. It showed them the level they need to be at in order to perform on a world level and with the best teams  and players in the world. These guys showed us what it takes with the intensity and hard work .Where we are at right now is good for the Caribbean level but it needs to be better for us to compete on a higher level and we got a taste of that in this camp,”Astorga added.

The former USA National Beach Soccer team player said he was optimistic about T&T’s chances of advancing to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup which takes place in Bahamas from April 27th to May 7th.

“We have what  it takes to beat the teams in the Concacaf championship. We will be carrying the fire that we had in the previous tournament into this one in the Bahamas. The experience now is greater than before. We have learned from our mistakes and we will focus on not allowing that to happen again in order to give us that edge which we need to get past the opponents this time around,” Astorga said.

From Barbados, the team will also visit Guadeloupe for another training camp before heading to Bahamas.

For the Concacaf championship, T&T are in Group C with the United States, Antigua and Barbuda and US Virgin Islands. T&T faces Antigua/Barbuda in its opening match on February 20th.

By virtue of hosting the tournament, the Bahamas has been given the top seed in Group A. The champion and the runner-up will join Bahamas as the three CONCACAF representatives in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2017 that will be held in Nassau from April 27 to May 7.

Tournament host Bahamas, who was seeded into Group A will face Jamaica, Belize and Guyana. In Group B, defending CONCACAF Beach Soccer champion Mexico was joined by Guatemala, Canada and Guadeloupe. El Salvador will be in Group D with Costa Rica, Panama and Turks & Caicos Islands.

The Malcolm Beach Soccer Facility will host all group, quarter-final, semifinal, third place and final matches.

T&T 15-man squad for Barbados, Guadeloupe and Bahamas.

Goalkeepers

Zane Coker, Victor Thomas

Defensive Players

Ryan Augustine (c), Shallun Bobb, Lemuel Lyons, Jesse Bailey

Wingers

Chad Appoo, Hakeem King, Shane Hospedales, Kerwin Stafford, Kelvon Charles

Pivots

Kevon Woodley, David McDougall, Makan Hislop, Jared Bennett

CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship Bahamas 2017 Groups

Group A
Bahamas
Jamaica
Belize
Guyana

Group B
Mexico
Guatemala
Canada
Guadeloupe

Group C
United States
Trinidad & Tobago
Antigua & Barbuda
US Virgin Islands

Group D
El Salvador
Costa Rica
Panama
Turks & Caicos Islands

CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship Bahamas 2017 Schedule
*Kick Off times TBC

Monday, February 20, 2017

Guatemala v Canada
Mexico v Guadeloupe
Trinidad & Tobago v Antigua & Barbuda
United States v US Virgin Islands
Jamaica v Belize
Bahamas v Guyana

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Costa Rica v Panama
El Salvador v Turks & Caicos Islands
Guadeloupe v Guatemala
Canada v Mexico
Guyana v Jamaica
Belize v Bahamas

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

US Virgin Islands v Trinidad & Tobago
Antigua & Barbuda v United States
Turks & Caicos Islands v Costa Rica
Panama v El Salvador
Belize v Guyana
Bahamas v Jamaica

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Canada v Guadeloupe
Mexico v Guatemala
Antigua & Barbuda v US Virgin Islands
United States v Trinidad & Tobago
Panama v Turks & Caicos Islands
El Salvador v Costa Rica

Friday, February 24, 2017

4B v 4D
4A v 4C
3B v 3D
3A v 3C
*TBC v TBC – Quarter-Final #1
*TBC v TBC – Quarter-Final #2
*TBC v TBC – Quarter-Final #3
*TBC v TBC – Quarter-Final #4

Saturday, February 25, 2017

Loser Match 25 v Loser Match 26
Winner Match 25 v Winner Match 26
Loser Match 27 v Loser Match 28
Winner Match 27 v Winner Match 28
Loser Match 29 v Loser Match 30
Loser Match 31 v Loser Match 32
Winner Match 29 v Winner Match 30 – Semifinal
Winner Match 31 v Winner Match 32 – Semifinal

Sunday, February 26, 2017

Loser Match 33 v Loser Match 34 – 15th Place Match
Winner Match 33 v Winner Match 34 – 13th Place Match
Loser Match 35 v Loser Match 36 – 11th Place Match
Winner Match 35 v Winner Match 36 – 9th Place Match
Loser Match 37 v Loser Match 38 – 7th Place Match
Winner Match 37 v Winner Match 38 – 5th Place Match
Loser Match 39 v Loser Match 40 – 3rd Place Match
Winner Match 39 v Winner Match 40 – Final

*The top two teams from each Group will advance to the knock-out phase. The quarter-final match ups will be decided by a draw. Group winners will be matched up randomly with the second place teams.

*CONCACAF reserves the right to change the time and order of matches

[Tallman]

WATCH: Lemuel Lyons talks about his switch to Beach Soccer

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/C_IuYqWFyEw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/C_IuYqWFyEw</a>

[Deeks]

WATCH: Lemuel Lyons talks about his switch to Beach Soccer

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/C_IuYqWFyEw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/C_IuYqWFyEw</a>

I played against this dude in DC in the summer evening sweat. Lot's of skill and fit like hell. Would have been nice for him to bget a look by DL at the mid field position. But he told me that he was tired of TT pro football scene and he was more interested in beach soccer. Next thing he on the national beach team. Good luck.

[Tallman]

WATCH: National Beach Soccer players undergo medical screening…off to Barbados

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/xGRqp5Vjc3o" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/xGRqp5Vjc3o</a>