Lions of Teranga recover the continental thorne in the final of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011 – Qualifier Casablanca
The Senegalese National team became the proud Champions of this FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011 – Africa Qualifier Casablanca after edging current title holders Nigeria in an amazing final. Two devastating minutes, one in the second period, and another one in the third, merited Senegal the recovery of the throne they lost to the Green Eagles in last edition, played in Durban.
Being already 1-2 up thanks to a steady beginning, the Lions of Teranga unbalanced the final decisively in a frenetic last minute of the second period, in which they achieved up to three goals to leave things almost impossible for the Nigerians. The Green Eagles were thinking of reaching the second break only one goal down in the score, and seeing things change that drastically in just few seconds tore apart all their plants.
Olawale, named MVP of the tournament tried to pull his team, tapping a penalty kick in for the 2-5, but the Senegalese reply was again immediate and blunt: Koukpaki and Ndour, within the same very minute, made it 7-2 to cut all green expectations. The captain’s spirit had not given up yet, and Abu trusted him as well to manage the 4-7 that threw some light for Nigeria into the match for that remaining four minutes. Senegal, though, wanted this year to be their year, and closed any doors to their net to emerge as the new FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup – Africa Qualifier Casablanca champions.
Goals: 0-1: Koukpaki, min. (1); 1-1: Olawale, min. (2); 1-2: Koukpaki, min. 9 (2); 1-3: Sylla, min. 0 (2); 1-4 : Fall, min. 0 (2) ; 1-5 : Fall, min. 0 (3) ; 2-5 : Olawale, min. 9 (3) ; 2-6 : Koukpaki, min. 9 (3) ; 2-7 : Ndour, min. 9 (3) ; 3-7 : Olawale, min. 4 (3) ; 4-7 : Abu, min. 3 (3)
The Pharaohs clinch the bronze from the 9-meter spot
Egypt could farewell this FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011 – Africa Qualifier Casablanca embracing the third place they were denied in last edition of the continental stage. Although failing to qualify for the worldwide showcase of Ravenna, the Pharaohs confirmed the growth they have been proving year after year, and with the penalty kick victory over Madagascar they achieve the highest rank in their history.
As expected, Madagascar fought passionately. This fourth place achieved by Ramarolahy’s side, together with the amazing performances they have offered since the very first minute, turn them into the sweetest surprise in this tournament. An important part of the high level shown by the Indic side is their number 10, Tiana, who can deservedly be considered one of the best players in this continental Qualifier. He managed to maintain his side in the track of Egypt when the Northern Africans were ahead, with teammate Bernardin balancing the score for the 3-3 that sent the game into extra time.
When A. Serie scored at the beginning of these additional three minutes, it seemed that Egypt had done the most important part of the road, but, with spirited Madagascar, you can never say so. With just two seconds to go, Rasta managed a new equalizer that sent the game to the penalty kick shootout.
From the 9 meter spot, the islanders were not that accurate, and the heroes Tiana and Bernardin could not find the way to the net to close such a sweet piece. A. Serie could not either, in the Egyptians first attempt, but Moustafa did not miss the chance to get the bronze for his country, which means their highest record so far.
Goals: 0-1: Youssef, min. 1 (1); 1-1: Tiana, min. 3 (2); 1-2: Osman, min. 0 (2); 1-3: Youssef, min. 7 (3); 2-3: Tiana, min. 4 (3); 3-3: Bernardin, min. 3-4: A. Serie, min. 2 (et); 4-4: Rasta, min. 0 (et)
Penalty shootout: Tiana, A. Serie, out ; Bernardin ; out ; Moustafa, in.
Sweet closing for Morocco
Morocco offered a last party before closing his participation in this FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011 – Africa Qualifier they are hosting. Surrounded by a devoted, noisy crowd, Mustapha El Hadaoui’s team brought an exciting match packed of moments of high-standard beach soccer. Although they found things quite uphill during the first stages, the Moroccan skill prevailed over Algeria to keep the 5th place in the tournament.
After equalizing two times the Algerian advantage in the first period, the hosts took the reins of their last match over their sand to build a comfortable advantage. El Hadaoui, Talal and the local star, Salhi, replaced the 2-2 with a much more unbalanced 5-2. That was a difference Algeria could never wipe off. They were cloze, though, since they climbed to a momentary 6-5, but Salhi closed any chance for them to cause a bigger upset with his third goal today, which kept the 5th position safe in hosts hands.
Goals: 0-1: Moussouni, min. 4 (1) 1-1: Salhi, min. 3 (1); 1-2: Mezouar, min. 3 (1) ; 2-2 : Talal, min. 3 (1) ; 3-2 : El Hadaoui, min. 9 (2) ; 4-2 : Talal, min. 6 (2) ; 5-2 : Salhi, min. ; 5-3, Maza, min. 3 (2) ; 6-3 : El Hadaoui, min. 11 (3) ; 6-4 : Moussouni, min. 6 (3) ; 6-5 : Haddou, min. 3 (3); 7-5, Salhi, min. 1 (3);
FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011 – Africa Qualifier Casablanca
Matches today:
Final standings
Best goalkeeper – Ndiaye (SEN)
Top scorer – Fall and Koukpaki (SEN) – 8 goals
MVP – Olawale (NGA)
Fair Play – Mustapha El Hadaoui (MOC)
Winner – Senegal
2nd place – Nigeria
3rd place – Egypt
