Champions make their entrance

The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup holders are in action today, along with four-time champions Brazil.

Day two of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017 will see the completion of the first round of group matches, with the eight teams who sat out day one all in action.

Among them are reigning champions Portugal, who begin their title defence against world finals debutants Panama.

The games

Group C – Portugal v Panama (17:00, local time)

United Arab Emirates v Paraguay (20:00, local time)

Group D – Japan v Poland (15:30, local time)

Brazil v Tahiti (18:30, local time)

What you need to know

– With 87 goals in 39 matches, Portugal’s Madjer is the leading scorer in the history of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

Now 40, he will be looking to add to that tally and help Portugal become only the third side after Brazil and Russia to retain the trophy.

– Brazil’s meeting with Tahiti promises to be quite an occasion.

The Brazilians have lost only four of the 45 matches they have played in the competition over the years, while the Tahitians have been one of the most impressive performers in the world in recent times, never more so than in finishing runners-up at Portugal 2015.

– Paraguay’s Pedro Moran scored eight goals at Portugal 2015 to win the adidas Golden Boot, while the Los Pynandi once again excelled in the South American qualifiers for Bahamas 2017, producing some quality beach soccer and acquitting themselves well in the final against Brazil.

Their opening match against the UAE is crucial to their hopes of continuing their rise and advancing beyond the group phase for the first time.

Via FIFA.com