The CONCACAF zone qualifier for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup and 2009 CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship that was scheduled to be played in Puerto Vallarta (Mexico) from Wednesday 29 April to Sunday 3 May, and was postponed due to the growing concerns over the outbreak of swine flu in Mexico, has been rescheduled to take place from June 17-21.
Mexicans are getting back into the swing of normal life as the government announced that the worst is over and has eased curbs on commercial and public activity. For this reason CONCACAF and BSWW jointly took the decision to start setting new dates for the North and Central American Qualifying competition.
On April 22 the six participating nations were drawn into two pools, where they will round-robin and see the two top teams advance to the semi-finals. The two finalists will be the CONCACAF representatives at the world’s most prestigious beach soccer showdown, the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup that will take place in spectacular Dubai from November 16-22.
Hosts and defending champion Mexico were drawn into Group A with last year’s surprise act El Salvador, and Canada who’s making its comeback on the International Beach Soccer scene. El Tri will start their qualifying campaign by facing off with the Canadians on day 1 of the Puerto Vallarta showdown and will confront with El Salvador for a semi-final spot on Friday the 19th.
The USA was given the perfect shot to bounce back from last year’s deception as they were drawn into Group B with Costa Rica and newcomers Bahamas to kick-off the CONCACAF Qualifier as red-hot favourites to reach the semis.
EEUU empiezan teoricamente como favoritos en el grupo B, ya que han sido encuadrados juntamente con Costa Rica y los debutantes de Bahamas. Por lo tanto se presenta la oprtunidad para sacarse la espina del fracaso del año anterior.
MATCH SCHEDULE
Group A Group B
A1 – Mexico B1 – USA
A2 – El Salvador B2 – Costa Rica
A3 – Canada B3 – Bahamas
GROUP STAGE
Date Match Time (local) Teams
Wed 17.06.09 1 17h00 USA vs. Bahamas
2 18h15 Mexico vs. Canada
Thu 18.06.09 3 17h00 Costa Rica vs. Bahamas
4 18h15 El Salvador vs. Canada
Fri 19.06.09 5 17h00 USA vs. Costa Rica
6 18h15 Mexico vs. El Salvador
SEMI-FINALS*
Sat 20.06.09 5th & 6th Place 15h00 3rd of Group A vs. 3rd of Group B
7 (Semi-final 1) 16h15 1st of Group B vs. 2nd of Group A
8 (Semi-final 2) 17h30 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 21.06.09 9 (Play-off 3rd/4th) 16h15 Loser M7 vs. Loser M8
10 (Final) 17h30 Winner M7 vs. Winner M8