2020 qualification for the Libertadores gets underway in Uruguay

The first matches were won and lost at the Arenas del Plata de la Playa Pocitos stadium on Sunday

The battle to make it to the CONMEBOL Libertadores de Fútbol Playa 2020 has begun in Uruguay.

Sunday 12 and Monday 13 January saw the first matches of the club beach soccer tournament held at the Arenas del Plata stadium in Playa Pocitos stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay.

Racing, Fénix, Bella Vista, Progreso, Malvín and Náutico opened the 2020 Beach Soccer Qualification with victories.

Only one team will eventually make it to the Libertadores, and Malvín currently hold the best finish by a Uruguayan club in the South American showdown, when they finished runners-up in 2017.

The 13 clubs taking part were split into three groups, two of four and one of five, and will be hoping to represent the nation at this year’s CONMEBOL Libertadores de Fútbol Playa.

The teams were organized as follows:

Group A

Racing

Wanderers

Cerrito

Fénix

Albion

Group B

Bella Vista

Club Rodó

Progreso

Rampla Juniors

Group C

Malvín

Danubio

Náutico

Keguay

The competition will continue with the second stage of the contest, between Tuesday and Thursday. You can find the fixtures below.

RESULTS 

Group A – Sunday 12/1

Racing 7-5 Wanderers *AET

Albion 4-7 Fénix

Free date: Cerrito

Group B – Sunday 12/1

Bella Vista 12-6 Club Rodó

Rampla Juniors 5-7 Progreso (in extra time)

Group C – Monday 13/1

Malvín 7-5 Danube

Keguay 7-9 Náutico  

UPCOMING FIXTURES

Group A – Tuesday 14/1

Racing v Wanderers

Fénix v Cerrito

Free Date: Racing

Group B – Wednesday 1/15 

Bella Vista v Rampla Juniors

Progreso v Club Rodó

Group C – Thursday 16/1

Malvín v Keguay

Náutico v Danube

Photo: AUF.org