The Solomon Islands beach soccer team has been handed a dream start to its FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup – Marseille 2008 campaign with the honour of playing Italy in the tournament’s opening match on July 17 on Prado Beach, Marseille.
Solomon Islands has never played Italy at any level of international football but needn’t fear a team that’s FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup record is almost identical to their own – one win in its last six matches.
Despite that similarity Italy’s overall record does not do justice to its recent performance at the European Beach Soccer Championship in Benidorm last week where the Azzurri finished fourth.
That placing may have been higher had Italy not spurned a golden chance to progress to the final itself after surrendering a 3-1 lead to Spain in its semi-final showdown with just three minutes left on the clock before losing on penalties. Spain went on to win the title.
Solomon Islands face familiar and formidable opponents Portugal on Saturday 19 July in Match 10 of the championship.
Portugal were the tournament’s top scoring team rattling in 45 goals in just seven matches – a talent Bilikiki Boys are all too familiar with after losing 14-2 to Portugal two years ago in Rio de Janeiro.
The final Group B showdown will pit Solomon Islands against fellow newcomers El Salvador on Monday 21 July in Match 18.
El Salvador are relatively new to this form of football and could possibly provide Solomon Islands with its best chance of achieving a repeat of its upset 5-2 win over CAF champions Cameroon back in 2006.
However El Salvador turned in an impressive qualifying campaign at the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship to finish in second place behind Mexico last year’s runners-up at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. Mexico also defeated Solomon Islands 6-3 in group play.
Solomon Islands preparations for this year’s FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup have been helped by the support of Honiara-based businessman Inca Chow and his DJ Graphics company.
DJ Graphics support for the Bilikiki Boys saw the development of a pilot SIFF Beach Soccer Championship – "The Road to France Cup" played for at Henderson Oval each weekend between four teams comprising aspiring beach soccer players including former international talents such as Batram Suri, Brian Feni and Moses Toata.
Above: Solomon Islands in action against Russia at last year’s FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup (photo courtesy www.fifa.com)
Solomon Islands at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup – Rio de Janeiro 2006
vs. Cameroon (N) won 5-2
vs. Uruguay (N) lost 5-10
vs. Portgual (N) lost 2-14
Solomon Islands at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup – Rio de Janeiro 2007
vs. Brazil (A) lost 2-11
vs. Russia (N) lost 2-5
vs. Mexico (N) lost 3-6
FIFA BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP – MARSEILLE 2008
The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup trophy
GROUP B – MATCH SCHEDULE
THURSDAY 17 JULY 2008 – ITALY vs. SOLOMON ISLANDS Kick-Off: 14H45*
THURSDAY 17 JULY 2008 – PORTUGAL vs. EL SALVADOR Kick-Off: 17H45
SATURDAY 19 JULY 2008 – SOLOMON ISLANDS vs. PORTUGAL Kick-Off: 16H15
SATURDAY 19 JULY 2008 – EL SALVADOR vs. ITALY Kick-Off: 17H45
MONDAY 21 JULY 2008 – PORTUGAL vs. ITALY Kick-Off: 14H45
MONDAY 21 JULY 2008 – EL SALVADOR vs. SOLOMON ISLANDS Kick-Off: 16H15
*All times local unless otherwise stated
The full draw is available at www.fifa.com