(1888PressRelease)
May 17, 2006 - Beach Soccer’s successful journey from the beaches of Brazil to the hearts of millions of fans all over the globe takes another big step this month. One of the fastest growing professional sports in the world comes to UAE shores from May 22 to 26, for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2006 – Qualifier Dubai, brought by Sport Solutions.
Six Asian nations - Bahrain, China PR, Iran, Japan, Philippines and the United Arab Emirates – will compete in Jumeirah Beach Park for three slots in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2006. The premier competition in beach soccer will gather the 16 top teams in the world in Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro, from November 2 to 12
The Asian Zone qualifier is the second of a total six continental tournaments in which nations will look to book their tickets to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2006. The only guaranteed countries are hosts Brazil and their South American fellows Uruguay and Argentina, who conquered their berths in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2006 – Qualifier Macaé, held in Brazil in March.
With sun, sea and sand in abundance, UAE provides the perfect venue for the game which has become even more popular since 2005, when beach soccer became a part of the FIFA family and the first FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup took place in Copacabana. On that occasion France, led by superstar Eric Cantona, lifted the trophy by beating Portugal in the penalty kick shootout after an amazing 3-3 tie through overtime. Brazil, counting with legendary striker Romário, completed the podium and Japan exceeded expectations to reach 4th place.
FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2006 – Qualifier Dubai
Jumeirah Beach Park – May 22 to 26
* Free admission for park attendants (limited seats, on a first-come/first-serve basis)
GROUP A GROUP B
UAE JAPAN
BAHRAIN PHILIPPINES
CHINA PR IRAN
Teams play round-robin inside their groups and the top two from each advance to the semifinals. The finalists will be qualified to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2006, as well as the winner of the 3rd place match.
Match schedule:
* All times are local (GMT +4)
MONDAY, MAY 22
4:00 PM GAME 1: JAPAN VS. PHILIPPINES
FOLLOWED BY GAME 2: UAE VS. BAHRAIN
TUESDAY, MAY 23
4:00 PM GAME 3: BAHRAIN VS. CHINA PR
FOLLOWED BY GAME 4: JAPAN VS. IRAN
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24
4:00 PM GAME 5 – PHILIPPINES VS. IRAN
FOLLOWED BY GAME 6 – UAE VS. CHINA PR
THURSDAY, MAY 25 - SEMIFINALS
(ORDER OF SEMIFINAL MATCHES COULD BE ALTERED DUE TO HOST BROADCASTER REQUEST)
4:00 PM GAME 7 – 1ST GROUP A VS. 2ND GROUP B *
FOLLOWED BY GAME 8 – 1ST GROUP B VS. 2ND GROUP A *
FRIDAY, MAY 26 – FINAL AND 3RD PLACE
4:00 PM GAME 9 – LOSER 7 VS. LOSER 8 *
5:00 PM GAME 10 – WINNER 7 VS. WINNER 8
* WINNER QUALIFIES TO THE FIFA BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP 2006
The Road to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2006 – Rio de Janeiro, November 2-12
The 16 participating teams will come from six qualifying events worldwide:
SOUTH AMERICA:
Brazil: Host country
FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2006 – Qualifier Macaé / Brazil, March 5-12
Uruguay
Argentina
ASIA:
FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2006 – Qualifier Dubai / United Arab Emirates, May 22-26
3 slots
AFRICA:
FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2006 – Qualifier Durban / South Africa, July 11-16
2 slots
EUROPE:
FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2006 – Qualifier Marseille / France, August 23-27
5 slots
OCEANIA:
FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2006 – Qualifier Tahiti / Tahiti, August 30 – September 3
1 slot
NORTH, CENTRAL AMERICA AND CARIBE
FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2006 – Qualifier Miami / United States, October 6-8
2 slots
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