“The increasing participation in CONCACAF is great news”

Ramon Raya, Mexican coach and FIFA Beach Soccer Instructor, analyzes the Beach Soccer panorama in the región ahead the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championships kicking of today

Ramón Raya, National Coach of Mexico and one of the most authorized beach soccer experts, not only in the CONCACAF region but in the whole world. With three world cup participations, he absolutely knows what it takes to earn the world cup berth. This year, with sixteen teams in the competition, that fight is going to be even tougher…

The Mexican coach highlights, though, that this growth in the number of teams can only be regarded positively, despite it will make their live harder. “The increasing participation in this new edition of the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championships is great news. It shows the interest that CONCACAF, a confederation with 41 member associations has in the sport, and this is something to feel very happy about”. 

Raya knows perfectly well that first steps in the competition will determine the Mexican, and any other team’s, options: “Beginning in a good, solid way, is going to be key, as it will determine the position and necessities of the teams from then on. Winning your first two matches places you in a very comfortable position, and gives you extra confidence”.

Despite advancing that “there will be some really surprising results, and some very loud wins, too, which will set the next steps for the future for everyone”, when asked about the favourites, the Mexican coach puts all the stress in experience. “Of course, the teams that have been playing for a long time, having had the chance to compete at the highest level, must be regarded as favourites: USA, El Salvador, Costa Rica… and Mexico, of course, despite we come to the competition with a young and renewed team”.

Ramón Raya, who has played several all-or-nothing games against the Salvadorans, knows that playing at home, the Cuscatleco become an even fiercer opponent, pushed by a devoted and noisy crowd. “It is going to be a real festival. I am sure it will be a very beautiful week”.