The CONCACAF laden tournament finished with the Caribbean island defeating the hosts and Confederation champions Mexico for the crown
Beach soccer is peaking at the perfect moment in the North America, Central America, and Caribbean region as the next FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup will be held in 2017 in the Bahamas. The hosts are gearing up for the world-class event by inviting and playing great teams like Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago in hopes to get familiar with some of the possible opponents they will face in 2017. This tournament featured the three teams playing in a round robin format, all being held at the Bahamas Beach Soccer Facility in Nassau, Bahamas. The permanent stadium was perfect for the cutthroat Cup and was just the beginning of the preparations that the Rake and Scrape Boys are doing leading up to the World Cup.
The event began with a great match for Mexico in which the action was much closer than the score indicated. The Tricolor started off proceedings with a big 8-3.The victory did not signify a guaranteed Cup win for Mexico or elimination for the hosts but both scenarios looked very possible. All that changed on the second day of event when Trinidad and Tobago took the field for the first time. The Soca Warriors came in knowing that a loss to Mexico would give the Mexicans the champions. Instead of playing tight or nervous, the Trinidad and Toboggans came out and shocked Mexico, winning 5-4. The final day shaped up as the most important day with every possible outcome still possible, depending on the Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago match. The Bahamas rebounded from their five goal defeat on the opening day, but they could not overcome Trinidad and the final score was 5-3 for Trinidad and Tobago, giving them the victory and the Lucayan Cup 2015.
2015 has been the best year yet for beach soccer and the Bahamans are riding that momentum with their own investments and betterment of the sport in their country. Portugal won the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2015 final on their home soil and while the Bahamas are an underdog, anything is possible. Just ask Tahiti, who in 2013 after a similar plan, came up big and finished fourth in their FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Tahiti in 2013 and then they finished second in this years’ edition. The qualifiers will begin in 2016 and finish in 2017 well before the World Cup begins but the Bahamas are sure to continue building their program.
