The Senegalese and the Ivoirians knock Nigeria and Morocco down to access the African final and seal tickets to Papeete
Senegal roar their way to the World Cup!
One goal sent Senegal to their fourth FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup after a stunning 17-goal thriller against Nigeria. The defending Champions upset the Green Eagles once again in this edition of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup CAF Qualifier, thus pushing them outside of the global showpiece for the first time since 2008.
The opening 2-0 run by Ngalla Sylla and Koukpaki, two of the most prolific players in Senegal, got Nigeria always behind in the score. But the Green Eagles never lost face to the game, and spiritedly tried to counteract the Senegalese dominion.
After pulling one back for the 2-1, though, the Lions of Teranga stroke again to widen the gap to 4-1. The stroke exchange went on during the whole match, but that three-goal difference ended up deciding who was going to Papeete.
Nigeria managed to cut that distance on some occasions, even getting only one goal behind, but their reaction was never enough in front of the inspired Senegalese, who always found the way to stay ahead in the score. Abu?s last hit for the Nigerians came with just 3 seconds to the hooter, what left the Green Eagles without room enough to attempt one more hit to equalize the game.
The final whistle, then, will have Senegal contesting Morocco to reedit their crown as African kings, once they have the ticket to Papeete in their pockets.
Goals: 1-0: Ng. Sylla, min. 4 (1); 2-0: Koukpaki, min. 2 (1); 2-1: Emeka, min. 1 (!); 3-1: Cheikh, min. 0 (1); 4-1: Fall, min. 9 (2); 4-2: Abu, min. 9 (2); 5-2: Ng. Sylla, min. 8 (2); 6-2: Fall, min. 7 (2); 6-3: Tale, min. 4 (2); 7-3: Koukpaki, min. 1 (2); 7-4: Tale, min. 1 (2); 7-5: Abu, min. 0 (2); 7-6: Abu, min. 10 (3); 8-6: Cheikh, min. 6 (3); 8-7: Tale, min. 3 (3); 9-7: Cheikh, min. 3 (3); 9-8: Abu, min. 0 (3)
Cote d?Ivoire ruin Moroccan party to fly to Papeete
Cote d?Ivoire joined the pack to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Tahiti 2013 after an amazingly exciting game against Morocco. The hosts were closer than ever before to the World Cup, but three goals by the Elephants in the last period of the game ended up ruining their dream, and bringing a great disappointment to the thousand of souls packing the stadium at Plage Brija in El Jadida.
The hosts were feeling in full confidence, and, despite the Elephants hit first, Morocco would turn the score around within the first period to command the game 1-2. David would score his first goal today to level things back midway second leg, but goalkeeper Larooubi would sweep the Lions of the Atlas ahead once again before the second hooter.
Morocco was just one period away of making history and sealing their go-through to beach soccer?s biggest showcase. But, in just four minutes, the whole dream crumbled for El Hadaoui?s lads. Kabletchi hit first to equalize the score, and David, with two more goals, put the Ivoirians 3-5 ahead.
The Moroccan side kept fighting, and Brigel managed to pull one back for the hosts. But their reaction finally fell incomplete, and Cote d?Ivoire accessed to the final of this FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup ? CAF Qualifier El Jadida-Morocoo, and, most importantly, sealed the ticket to Papeete.
Goals: 1-0: Sakanoko, min. 8 (1); 1-1: El Karkouri, min. 5 (1); 1-2: El Karkouri, min. 4 (1); 2-2: David, min. 6 (2); 3-2: Laaroubi, min. 0 (2); 3-3: Kabletchi, min. 7 (3); 3-4: David, min. 6 (3); 3-5: David, min. 3 (3); 4-5: Brigel, min. 2 (3);
FIFA BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP 2013 ? CAF QUALIFIER EL JADIDA-MOROCCO
El Jadida (Morocco). 22nd to 26th of May, 2013
Results today:
Saturday, 25th of May 2013
17:00 ? Senegal* 9-8 Nigeria
18:15 ? Cote d?Ivoire* 5-4 Morocco
Matches for tomorrow
Sunday, 26th of May, 2013
17:00 ? Nigeria vs Morocco? match for the 3rd place
18:15 ? Senegal vs Cote d?Ivoire ? FINAL
*Qualified for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Tahiti 2013
