13 Apr 2017

The Copa Pilsener 2017, ready to go!

Competition kicks-off with Tahiti and Panama (3:00pm), followed by the Ecuador-Salvador (4:15pm)

The Copa Pilsener Futbol Playa returns to El Salvador on Thursday as the hosts take on three FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2017 nations in the form of Ecuador, Panama and Tahiti.

Always an exciting event, in one of the sport’s true heartlands, the Copa Pilsener Futbol Playa will once again offer locals on the Salvadoran Costa del Sol the chance to see their heroes in action on the sand.

A third-place finish at the recent CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship was not enough to take La Selecta back to Nassau for this month’s global showpiece although Rudis Mauricio Gonzalez’s men will hope to put on a show regardless back on home sand.

Revenge may also be on Salvadoran minds as they gear up to face Panama - who won the Nassau event after edging El Salvador on penalties in the semi-finals.

In only their second championship, Panama went on to life the title, beating Mexico in the final, and will be eager to fine tune preparations ahead of their FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup bow.

Ecuador are another nation set to debut in Nassau later this month, having earned their ticket to the Bahamas with a third-place finish at the CONMEBOL championship in Paraguay at the start of the year.

First up for Ecuador is a clash against the hosts on Thursday at 16.15 local time after Panama and Tahiti kick the competition off.

The Tiki Toa did not need to qualify from the OFC region but will accelerate their preparations in El Salvador ahead of their fourth FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

With all four sides among the world’s top 21 nations, the Copa Pilsener Futbol Playa once again promises to be a thrilling stop on the beach soccer calendar.

Remember that all matches will be streamed live through beachsoccer.com, so make sure you tune in to follow all the action at Costa del Sol.