INFO PV

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.

MATCH SCHEDULE

Group A
A1 – Mexico
A2 – El Salvador
A3 – Canada

Group B
B1 – USA
B2 – Costa Rica
B3 – Bahamas

GROUP STAGE

Wed June 17
5:00 pm – USA vs. Bahamas
6:15 pm – Mexico vs. Canada

Thu June 18
5:00 pm – Costa Rica vs. Bahamas
6:15 pm – El Salvador vs. Canada

Fri June 19
5:00 pm – USA vs. Costa Rica
6:15 pm – Mexico vs. El Salvador

SEMI-FINALS*

Sat June 20
5th & 6th Place
3:00 pm – 3rd of Group A vs. 3rd of Group B

Semi-final 1
4:15 pm – 1st of Group B vs. 2nd of Group A

Semi-final 2
5:30 pm – 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 June 21
Play-off 3rd/4th
4:15 pm – Loser M7 vs. Loser M8

Final
5:30 pm – Winner M7 vs. Winner M8