Beach Soccer Thread

[Flex]

Beach soccer players dedicate win to Abiela.
By Keith Clement (Guardian).

T&T's Beach soccer Team defeated Barbados 6-2 on Saturday night in the Barbados International Beach Soccer Showcase.

Dominic McDougall and Chad Appoo each scored a double with Shallun Bobb and Shane Hospedales grabbing a goal each to give T&T their second straight win in the tournament after opening with a 5-2 defeat of Guyana on Friday.

T&T are currently preparing for the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship and World Cup qualifiers in Bahamas later this month.

They will kick off against Antigua/Barbuda on February 19th at the Malcolm Beach Soccer Facility.

The Beach Soccer team dedicated their win to the late Abiela Adams who lost her life in Tobago.

Abiela was a National Under 15 girls team player and had also participated in a National beach soccer coaching clinic with members of the T&T Beach Soccer team recently.

At Saturday's game the squad members wore tapes on their arms with her name written on it.

T&T faces England yesterday to close off the competition.

Head coach Benny Astorga indicated in his post-game comments that he was satisfied with the results but wants to see the team off to a better start in the matches and paying more attention to ball possession.

"It's another win under our belt which is always good for the team morale. As coach I thought we could have done a lot better, We were off again to another slow start.

"These are things we have to work on which is why we are see in this camp and competing in this tournament so that we can make sure that we have a seamless game plan and deliver it when it comes to the qualifiers," Astorga told TTFA Media.

"Those teams in the qualifiers aren't going to give us that time or break to be able to catch ourselves. We need to push a little bit harder and start focusing more n the details and make sure we stay ahead.

"Yes our men are experienced and we do have that comeback power and ability to win games in the third period and even in the second period.

"I am happy but at the same time I will like to see a little more emphasis on a better start and getting more possession in the games."

[Flex]

Beach Soccer men tie with England.
TTFA Media.

Trinidad and Tobago’s National Beach Soccer Men continued their impressive run at the Barbados International Beach Soccer Showcase with a 3-3 draw with England’s National Beach Soccer team in their closing encounter at Brandon’s Beach in St Michael on Sunday.

T&T finished unbeaten in their three matches on the island after hammering Guyana 5-2 on Friday and beating the hosts Barbados 6-2 the following day. England had previously beaten Guyana 5-1 and Antigua/Barbuda 6-5. They also went on to defeat Barbados 6-4 on Sunday.

Aaron Clarke gave England a 1-0 lead in the first period before Shallun Bobb equalised for T&T in the second period and Kevon Woodley put T&T 2-1 ahead in the same period.  There were two further goals in the second period with Clarke netting his second to tie the scores at two apiece before his teammate Cameron O’Rourke pushed England 3-2 ahead.  But T&T kept themselves in the match with an equalising goal from Zane Coker in the third period.

(A game lasts thirty-six minutes and is split up into three twelve-minute periods.)

England participated in the first ever Beach Soccer World Cup in 1995, placing third that year but however did not participate in any of the competitions between 1995 and 2001. They did not qualify among the four teams from UEFA for the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Bahamas. They finished third in their preliminary group behind Portugal and Moldova and ahead of cellar-placed Romania.

T&T are preparing for the CONCACAF Beach Soccer qualifiers in Bahamas starting on February 20th, and will spend a couple days extra in Barbados before heading to Nassau.

T&T head coach Benny Astorga said the game versus England was a valuable test for his side.

“The match was a good one and a good preparation for the qualifiers. They gave us that European high level play. The game showed us some deficiencies that we had in dealing with set plays and it is something we will need to improve on,” Astorga told TTFA Media.

“The focus now in the next couple of days we have over here in Barbados is to finalise the 12 players that will be going into the tournament. The men have been working really hard, going through a lot and putting in the effort in training and in the games so far to ensure that they can make the final team. We will be looking to see what is the best look for the team in terms of player combinations and  team chemistry,” Astorga added.

“We will be recapping on our mistakes and try to improve in these areas as we prepare to head into the competition starting with the opening game against Antigua/Barbuda,” he said.

[Tallman]

WATCH (FULL GAME): Trinidad and Tobago’s 3-3 draw with England at the Barbados International Beach Soccer Showcase

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/gtPQjGxfOzY" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/gtPQjGxfOzY</a>

[Tallman]

WATCH (FULL GAME): Trinidad and Tobago’s 5-2 win over Guyana at the Barbados International Beach Soccer Showcase

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/zPDqTZKYkD4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/zPDqTZKYkD4</a>

[Tallman]

WATCH (FULL GAME): Trinidad and Tobago’s 6-2 win over Barbados at the Barbados International Beach Soccer Showcase

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/43Blh9QnrPc?start=10427" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/43Blh9QnrPc?start=10427</a>

[Flex]

Beach Soccer Men eye CONCACAF opener.
TTFA Media.

The Trinidad and Tobago Beach Soccer National Team is currently in Nassau, Bahamas and is counting down the days to the opening CONCACAF Beach Soccer qualifier versus Bahamas on Monday.

Go here to listen to head coach Benny Astorga as he talks about the team’s current shape.

Video - Beach Soccer Men eye CONCACAF opener versus Antigua/Barbuda

[Flex]

Beach Soccer Men start CONCACAF qualifiers versus Antigua.
TTFA Media.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Beach Soccer Men will be aiming to make a winning start to their Concacaf Beach Soccer championship campaign when they battle Antigua/Barbuda at the Malcolm Beach Soccer Facility, Nassau,Bahamas at 5:30pm (6:30pm TT time) on Monday.

The T&T team has been in Nassau since last week following a training camp in Barbados during which they pulled off convincing victories over the hosts and Guyana before drawing 3-3 with England.

Head Coach Benny Astorga believes his team in the best possible shape going into the qualifiers.

“We are in a very good shape right now. We’ve had an extensive period of intense, quality preparations largely due to the efforts of the Association which did its best to get us what we needed, and now we are just ready to get the ball rolling in the Bahamas,” Astorga told TTFA Media.

“The players have worked extremely hard, they have been disciplined and dedicated and now they are all just very eager and excited to take the sand and demonstrate their capabilities,” added the former US Beach Soccer national team member.

“We’ve played a lot of emphasis on correcting our mistakes and trying to make use of our goalscoring chances from the early and not have to wait until the latter stages of the game. We are hoping to take control and settle early,” he added.

T&T will look to the likes of prolific scorer Kevon Woodley,Shallun  Bobb and Zane Coker who have all been among the goals in recent outings along with the  Chad Appoo who has overseas experience, and former T&T senior team player Makan Hislop to help push them past the Antiguans.

In the 2013 qualifiers which were also played in Nassau, T&T recorded two wins and two losses, finishing seventh,  and advanced to the quarter finals in 2015, completing four wins in six matches in El Salvador to finish fifth overall.  The team’s rise continued in 2015 at the Lucayan Cup in Bahamas which they won, defeating Bahamas 5-3 and Mexico 5-4.

(A game lasts thirty-six minutes and is split up into three twelve-minute periods.)

[Tallman]

WATCH: Highlights of Trinidad and Tobago Beach Soccer Team’s 8-1 victory over Antigua and Barbuda. Beaver-trick by David McDougall, hat-trick by Kevon “Showtime” Woodley, and a solo item by Chad Appoo.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/4Fptj84c9h0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/4Fptj84c9h0</a>

WATCH: If you didn’t know why his nickname is “Showtime”, take a look at this goal scored by Kevon Woodley against Antigua and Barbuda.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/lUI-xI5G2ng" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/lUI-xI5G2ng</a>

WATCH: David McDougall scores a cracking volley against Antigua and Barbuda. Chad Appoo with the assist.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/ObP0KIRHyMo" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/ObP0KIRHyMo</a>

[Deeks]

The volley by McDougall is one of the best I have seen in a while. Bicycle was a beaut. also.

[doc]

Did Munchin change his name from Dominic to David?

[chelsealife]

Did Munchin change his name from Dominic to David?

Went to a training course with him one time and David was his name in d class but out of class I knew him as Dominic. So maybe he uses the two

[doc]

Did Munchin change his name from Dominic to David?

Went to a training course with him one time and David was his name in d class but out of class I knew him as Dominic. So maybe he uses the two

Thanks.

[Tallman]

WATCH: Highlights of Trinidad and Tobago Beach Soccer Team’s 5-1 win over the US Virgin Islands. A hat-trick by Hakeem King, and bicycles by Chad Appoo and Kevon Woodley secured the victory.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/tpaFdm2SLec" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/tpaFdm2SLec</a>

[Flex]

Beach Soccer Men move into Concacaf Quarter Finals.
TTFA Media.

Trinidad and Tobago claimed their second win of the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship with a 5-1 victory against US Virgin Islands on Wednesday, thereby ensuring their place in the quarter finals on Friday.

T&T now have maximum points from their Group C campaign and will be ensured a top two place in the pool after a Hakeem King hat-trick helped ensure a routine success at Malcolm Park. This win followed an 8-1 win over Antigua/Barbuda on Monday and puts T&T two wins away in the knockout phase from qualifying for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2017.  T&T face United Stated on Thursday in a tussle for the Group C top spot.

In a slow burner of an opening period, King’s bobbled effort beat Carlos Quezada to open the scoring but skipper Michael Vollmer got enough of a touch to glance the ball past Victor Thomas and level matters for the US Virgin Islands.

Mayan Hislop sent a fierce drive just wide midway through the second frame but the Virgin Islands proved stubborn to break down, until King bagged a second with the help of a fortuitous bounce in the sand.

Goalkeeper Zake Coker pulled off a tight save to deny Vincent Schultz with T&T only 2-1 ahead. And later on T&T’s other ‘keeper Victor Thomas also did well to deny Emiliano Aranes.

King had his hat-trick from another set-piece before the break to put T&T 3-1 ahead with Chad Appoo joining him on the scoresheet with an overhead kick with just less than five minutes remaining.

David McDougall who bagged a beavertrick in the win over Antigua/Barbuda, had a penalty saved by the USVI goalkeeper in the 4th minute of the third and final period and soon after saw his acrobatic overhead attempt bounce off the post.

There was time for Kevon Woodkey to score with an overhead kick time and wrap up a relatively straightforward victory T&T.

After the win, head coach Astorga said he was pleased to see his team advance to the quarter finals.

“We’re happy to have completed the first mission which was to get to the quarter finals. We know coming here that our chances were good but we had to take care of business. Today we were a bit slow at the start maybe because of some nerves but we finished strongly which will be important in the knockout phase,” Astorga told TTFA Media.

“We have the US tomorrow (Thursday) and we want to top the group for sure with a win over them.”

King, the hattrick scorer, added “It felt great to open my tally with a performance like this. We were a bit slow out the blocks but I knew we would get chances and we took them well. Our boys are growing in each game and I think we are all focused now to go all the way and get to the final.”

T&T captain Ryan Augustine said T&T were gaining momentum in each game.

“It’s important for us not to let up now. Even though we are through to the quarter finals, we want to top the group with a good performance and a win against the US on Thursday. But as for now, we will enjoy the moment of this second victory and recover and regroup for the rest of the tournament. Getting to the final is our next objective which would see us qualifying of the World Cup also,” Augustine said.

US head coach Edwin Soto said after his team’s 7-2 win over Antigua/Barbuda on Wednesday: “We are happy to be through to the quarters but we still have another game tomorrow against a very good Trinidad and Tobago Team. We want to win this to top the group.”

Andrew Feld, who scored in the win today, stated : “We feel we are good enough to beat them (T&T). We have seen them play and we going to head into the match confident of finishing on top the group.”

Goals: 0-1: King, min. 7 (1); 1-1: Vollmer, min. 2 (1); 1-2: King, min. 5 (2); 1-3: King, min. 2 (2); 1-4: Appoo, min. 4 (3); 1-5: Woodley, min. 2 (3)

BSC 2017: US Virgin Islands vs Trinidad & Tobago Highlights



T&T captain Ryan Augustine vs USVI. Nassau , Bahamas – February, 22
Concacaf Beach Soccer Championship Bahamas 2017 at Malcon Park on February 22, 2017 in Nassau, Bahamas. (Photo by Lea Weil)

[Tallman]

WATCH: Highlights of Trinidad and Tobago Beach Soccer Team’s 5-1 loss to the United States

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/BbQLBhHfrCE" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/BbQLBhHfrCE</a>

[Tallman]

WATCH: Trinidad and Tobago Beach Soccer Captain Ryan Augustine and veteran Chad Appoo talk about the team’s progress over the years and why they believe they can get to the World Cup.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/2IxUX5B8SGg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/2IxUX5B8SGg</a>

[100% Barataria]

Quarter final vs El tri on bein Español now

Grass, astro turf, sand, different surface same shit

[Tallman]

T&T ‘beached’ 5-1 by Mexico.
T&T Express Reports.

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Mexico returned to the semi-finals of the 2017 CONCACAF Beach Championships on the strength of a 5-1 win over Trinidad & Tobago on Friday in Nassau, Bahamas.

In-form Jose Ramon Maldonado Alonso took his tournament tally to eight with a brace, in a win that ultimately proved comfortable despite spells of pressure from the men in red, white and black.

Advancing to the semi-final stage were El Salvador, Mexico and Panama, as well as Guadeloupe who beat host Bahamas 5-3 to become the only Caribbean representative in the final four. El Salvador drubbed Jamaica 5-0 and Panama ousted USA 6-4.

Maldonado gave Mexico a flyer when roofing the ball from 10 metres out in just the second minute and Cesar Saldivar Robles’ unmarked header from a throw in put the Tricolor up 2-0 in the 10th minute.

Trinidad & Tobago captain and defender Ryan Augustine halved the deficit when advancing up-field to put in a flicked up Chad Appoo pass for 2-1 in the 24th-minute.

But a skidding low drive from Angel David Rodriguez in the 27th quickly dampened T&T hopes, while they were all but extinguished in the 33rd when Maldonado grabbed a second with a powerful shot through the legs of goalie Victor Thomas.

Diego Oswaldo Rodriguez made the score line more flattering at 5-1 for Mexico in the 34th minute when he beat the lone defender in goal with a shot high up into the net.

WATCH: Highlights of Trinidad and Tobago Beach Soccer Team’s 5-1 loss to Mexico

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/ssn3wCLOGZc" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/ssn3wCLOGZc</a>

[Tallman]

Beach Men go down to Bahamas.
TTFA Media.

Trinidad and Tobago lost their fifth place playoff match 5-2 to Bahamas on Saturday night in Nassau.

Having seen the USA beat Jamaica, Bahamas then got back to winning ways against Trinidad and Tobago, with captain Gavin Christie’s brace proving decisive as the home nation held off a late fightback from T&T.

In a low-key opening, a bobble in the sand denied Christie the chance to open the scoring with six minutes on the board.

Neither side could find a breakthrough before the interval, Trinidad goalkeeper Zane Coker keeping a long-range Kyle Williams strike at bay early in the second frame.

But the deadlock was eventually broken when Gary Joseph calmly slipped the ball past Coker one-on-one.

And the lead was doubled when Christie prodded in his side’s second from close range.

With the hosts in control going into the latter stages of the game, skipper Christie registered again when he won a 50-50 challenge with goalkeeper Victor Thomas and finished into an open net.

Trinidad threw everything at Bahamas but were hit by a Justin St. Fleur sucker punch when the in-form forward clipped in his side’s fourth following a swift throw from goalkeeper Torin Ferguson.

Jesse Bailey did get Trinidad on the board while Lemuel Lyons also slotted home a penalty but it proved too little, too late, as Joseph’s penalty wrapped up proceedings en route to a meeting with USA for fifth place.

Goals: 1-0: Joseph, min. 5 (2) 2-0: Christie, min. 4 (2); 3-0: Christie, min. 7 (3); 4-0: St. Fleur, min. 5 (3); 4-1: Bailey, min. 3 (3); 4-2: Lyons, min. 1 (3); 5-2: Joseph, min. 0 (3). (BeachSoccer.com).

Panama and Mexico moved into the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship final on Saturday, earning victories that also guarantee them spots at this year’s FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

The defending champions were rarely troubled as they dispatched a Guadeloupe side missing influential but suspended striker Sebastien Hell 3-0.

Goals from Jose Ramon Maldonado Alonso and Diego Oswaldo Rodriguez condemned Guadeloupe to third place while Panama knocked out El Salvador 2-1 on penalties, after the tie ended 2-2 in normal time.

In just their second appearance at this competition, Panama battled back from a goal down to move within three minutes of winning in normal time, only for Jose Agustin Ruiz to level and give El Salvador a shot at reaching the final.

However, with the contest eventually going to penalties, Jose Ruben Batres and Heber Antonio Ramos faltered, while Julio Watson and Rafael Garcia found the net to take Panama into the final.

Hosts Bahamas will contest the fifth-place play-off against USA on Sunday after edging Trinidad and Tobago 5-2.

Having seen the USA beat Jamaica, Bahamas then got back to winning ways against Trinidad, with captain Gavin Christie’s brace proving decisive as the home nation held a late fightback from the Beach Soca Warriors.

United States ensured themselves a spot in the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship fifth-place play-off on Saturday after seeing off Jamaica 6-2.

Both sides tasted defeat in the quarter-finals on Friday and it was the USA – still without suspended skipper Nick Perera – who bounced back to ensure a shot at fifth, with Alessandro Canale’s hat-trick helping ensure a routine win.

Costa Rica and Canada will go head-to-head for ninth place, the latter picking up a dominant 6-1 win against Antigua and Barbuda, Danilo Pessoa weighing with a brace.

Milos Scepanovic and Nazim Belgendouz got the North Americans off to a strong start, with Sherwin Warner Junior pulling one back for Antigua.

However, a quickfire double from Pessoa was quickly followed by further strikes from Jacob Orellana and Maxime Leconte – Shawn Warner’s late effort mattering little in the end.

Last year’s runners-up Costa Rica then joined Canada in the ninth-place match when they saw off Guyana 5-2.

Goalkeeper Niels Fallas Beita got the ball rolling with an early strike with Deyber Villegas Guerrero and Heimo Kastner Gomez making it 3-0 by the end of the second frame.

Jahshaun Moore pulled one back for Guyana but Costa Rica proved a cut above, finishing with a flourish thanks to goals from William Leon Cruz and Villegas Guerrero.

Belize and Turks & Caicos Islands will battle for 13th place after each picking up wins early on the penultimate day of action, beating Barbados and US Virgin Islands respectively.

Herby Magny scored twice for Turks and Caicos as they racked up a comfortable 4-1 win while Belize found their shooting boots in a 6-2 success against Barbados.

Marlon Meza’s hat-trick proved decisive for Dennis Dale Serano’s men while goals from Duan Best and Jamar Grazette mattered little for Barbados.


WATCH: Highlights of Trinidad and Tobago Beach Soccer Team’s 5-2 loss to the Bahamas

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/Yw-3OoLKdo0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/Yw-3OoLKdo0</a>

[Flex]

T&T best tactical team at beach Soccer qualifiers—coach.
By Shaun Fuentes (Guardian).

T&T’s Beach Soccer Men have been raising eyebrows at the ongoing CONCACAF Beach Soccer qualifiers in Nassau, Bahamas.

Before facing the United States on Thursday night, T&T scored convincing 8-1 and 5-1 wins over Antigua/Barbuda and US Virgin Islands to secure their quarter final spot which takes place today. But while El Salvador, Costa Rica and Mexico are the notable Beach Soccer teams to watch in Concacaf, T&T has surely put themselves among the teams to fancy as they go in search of one of two qualifying spots for the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Bahamas in April.

Alexandre Soares who coached Brazil to four World Cup titles and is now in charge of the Bahamas team, spoke about T&T.

“They are tactically one of the best teams in the competitions. You can see the understand the game, they are organised and their players are technically and physically very good. I think they are a team to watch for the rest of the tournament and they are in with a very good chance of qualifying. They need to keep it up,” said Soares who coached T&T in 2013.

Beach Soccer Men take part in Foundation clinic

The ever-popular Beach Soccer Foundation Clinic arrived on the shores of Nassau on Tuesday as a group disadvantaged local youngsters were given an unforgettable experience with stars of the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship.

T&T trio Chad Appoo, team captain Ryan Augustine and Kelvin Charles along with head coach Benny Astorga joined around 20 Bahamian kids and young adults with disabilities at the Malcolm Park Beach Soccer Facility prior to the second day of competition and were able to run, play and enjoy soccer on the sand with some of their favourite players.

Beach soccer players from the Bahamas, T&T and the United States all took part in what was a hugely positive experience for all concerned.

Beach Soccer Worldwide’s Head of Competitions Josep Ponset added, “These clinics are always really special moments for everyone involved and it’s a big part of what we do as an organisation.

“We were honoured to be part of this initiative with the kids. Our players take pride in being part of these things where it entails lifting the spirits of people and assisting in development,” T&T head coach Astorga said.

The Beach Soccer Foundation is committed to making a difference across the world through the principles of environmental protection, children/youth development and skin cancer awareness.

[Tallman]

T&T beach soccer men finish 7th.
T&T Guardian Reports.

T&T’s men secured seventh position at the Concacaf Beach Soccer Championship after whipping Jamaica 9-3 at the Malcolm Beach Soccer Facility in Nassau Bahamas on Sunday.

T&T got double strikes from the prolific Chad Appo, Makan Hislop and Kevon Woodley to ensure maximum points, despite a battling Reggae Boyz outfit who were led by a hattrick from an equally talented Rohan Reid.

The in-form Hislop gave the men in red, white and black the opening goal in the 7th minute, but the Jamaicans stormed back with an equaliser from Reid in the 15th.

Appo regained T&T’s advantage with a 16th minute item before Shallun Bobb made it 3-1, firing past the Jamaican custodian in the 18th.

However, Reid pulled one back in the 20th, the first of four goals to be scored in two minutes, as Woodley later got his first goal seconds after Reid.

A minute later, Reid, who had been single-handedly carrying the burden for the Jamaicans, completed his hattrick (21st minute) to reduce the scoreline to 3-4.

But Appo then notched his second item within the minute to hand T&T a comfortable 5-3 lead heading into the third session, while Hislop and Woodley got their second goals in the 29th and 33rd respectively.

The other two goals for T&T came from the feet of Ryan Augustine (30th) and Kelvion Charles in the 34th.

T&T were hoping to go all the way after impressive starts against the US Virgin Islands 5-1 and Antigua & Barbuda 8-1. But they stumbled to a 5-1 defeat to the United States and later failed to get past the hosts, going down 5-2 in a fifth-place playoff on Saturday.

In that match, Gary Joseph opened the scoring for the hosts, calmly slipping the ball past T&T goalkeeper Zane Coker.

The lead was doubled when Garvin Christie prodded in his side’s second from close range.

With the hosts in control going into the latter stages of the game, skipper Christie registered again when he won a 50-50 challenge with substitute goalkeeper Victor Thomas and finished into an open net.

T&T threw everything at Bahamas but were hit by a Justin St. Fleur sucker punch when the in-form forward clipped in his side’s fourth, following a swift throw from goalkeeper Torin Ferguson.

Jesse Bailey got T&T on the board while Lemuel Lyons also slotted home a penalty, but it proved too late as Joseph’s penalty later wrapped up proceedings.

WATCH: Highlights of Trinidad and Tobago Beach Soccer Team’s 9-3 win over Jamaica.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/MqlyDx4U5jM" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/MqlyDx4U5jM</a>

[Sando]

Never saw any T&T player score a goal like that Shallun Bobb (#4) goal.

[Tallman]

WATCH: Trinidad and Tobago's Beach Soccer Team disappointed
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/rc8dvHTLlJo" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/rc8dvHTLlJo</a>

[Flex]

Beach Soccer Men show Promise.
TTFA Media.

Trinidad and Tobago Beach Soccer Head Coach Benny Astorga says the players can hold their heads high despite failing to qualify for the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

T&T clinched seventh spot with a convincing 9-3 win over Jamaica in Nassau on the weekend after losing their quarter-final clash with Mexico followed by another defeat to hosts Bahamas in the 5th place playoff. T&T earlier recorded group phase wins over US Virgin Islands and Antigua/Barbuda.

“In the end I think there are positives to take from the campaign. We did not achieve our goal which was to qualify but we showed a lot of passion, fight and willingness to work hard and develop our beach soccer game,” Astorga said.

“There is a lot to take from it and a lot to look forward to for Beach soccer in the country and the region. The TTFA helped us tremendously with the camps and offered us opportunities to get decent preparation and we were grateful for that,” he added.

Meantime,  the Official Draw for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017, which will be played in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, between 27 April and 7 May 2017, took place on Tuesday at the Hotel Atlantis in Nassau.

The draw revealed hosts Bahamas will meet Switzerland, Ecuador and Senegal in Group A.

Arguably the most intriguing quartet of teams is in Group D, where four-time champions Brazil were drawn alongside 2015 runners-up Tahiti, European champions Poland and a yet-to-be-determined AFC opponent.

The draw ceremony was held in the special presence of the Rt. Hon. Perry Gladstone Christie, Prime Minister Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Assisting in the draw ceremony were FIFA Legend Emerson, former midfielder for Brazil’s national football team and the Miss Bahamas Universe 2016 Cherell Williamson.

Panama became the new CONCACAF Beach Soccer champions are beating former holders Mexico 4-2 in Nassau on Sunday.

Both sides will represent the federation at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in the Bahamas in April and May but it was Panama, rather than favourites Mexico, who won out as Justo Arrocha’s brace and further goals from Alfonso Maquensi and Rafael Garcia tied up victory.

Mexico – who had boasted a 100 per cent record in CONCACAF finals – saw the competition’s joint-top scorer Jose Ramon Maldonado Alonso bag a brace but they came up short against a spirited Panama featuring in only their second such tournament.

El Salvador salvaged a third-place finish from their campaign as they saw off Guadeloupe 7-2.

The former champions – who have still not finished below third since 2007 – would have been tipped by many to contest Sunday’s final but, following defeat to Panama, Rudis Gallo’s men bounced back with the help of a Jose Ruben Batres brace.

Hosts Bahamas succumbed to defeat in Sunday’s fifth-place play-off as they were beaten 4-2 by USA.

Played in front of a consistently fervent home crowd, the USA did enough to dampen cheers in Nassau as the influential Nick Perera – returning from suspension – notched along with Oscar Reyes, Alessandro Canale and Christopher Toth.

Despite a rare off-night, Bahamas have done more than enough to build enthusiasm for the sport ahead of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, which begins on April 27th.

Captain Greivin Pacheco Quesada’s hat-trick helped Costa Rica edge Canada 5-4 in extra time and secure ninth place on the final day of action in the Bahamas capital.

Costa Rica led 4-1 midway through the second period after skipper Pacheco’s first two but Canada battled back with a quickfire double from Jacob Orellana and Danilo Pessoa early in the third.

Johnson got Costa Rica’s fifth although that was swiftly cancelled out by Milos Scepanovic, and it ultimately fell to Pacheco to clinch the tie with his hat-trick goal.

Antigua finish ninth after an 8-6 win against Guyana, with the former having initially moved into a 4-1 lead thanks to goals from Kevin Richards, Elvis Thomas, Omarie Daniel and Sherwin Warner Jr before a Jamal Haynes hat-trick helped restore parity.

However, Daniel O’Dell Murray and Stephen Hughes wrestled the victory back from Guyana, as Antigua ended on a high.

Belize hit the goal trail in their 13th-place play-off success against Turks & Caicos Islands, easing to a 9-4 win.

Marlon Meza scored four times in a dominant victory while Jeremy James and Alexander Jones added a brace apiece to tie up 13th spot.

In the first game of the final day, Barbados fought from a goal down to beat US Virgin islands 3-1 and condemn their opponents to last place.

Vincent Schulz got the Islands off to a strong start with the opening goal only for Barbados to claim the victory with goals from Andre Pinder, Elvin Griffith and Ramon Manning.

Video - Astorga comments on T&T's Beach Soccer Victory over Jamaica

END

[Flex]

Coker calls for T&T beach soccer league.
By Jelani Beckles (Newsday).

NATIONAL beach soccer goalkeeper, Zane Coker, believes that starting a beach soccer league in Trinidad and Tobago, will help promote the sport here and increase our chances of qualifying for the Beach Soccer World Cup in the future.

T&T finished seventh in the recently concluded CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championships in Bahamas, a drop of two places from the last Championships in 2015.

Only the finalists were awarded spots in the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup to be also held in Bahamas.

Coker said that a number of steps can be taken to improve beach soccer in T&T. The Switzerland-based goalie believes an international size pitch with quality sand to train is essential. Turtle Beach in Tobago is one of the venues that the T&T team use for training but the access is limited due to the nesting season.

But foremost, he believes setting up a league locally will derive multiple benefits and help develop a beach sport culture on the island and consequently improve the national setup.

“Another thing that we can do is a league. Panama actually won the CONCACAF Beach Soccer qualifiers, which was an underdog team. They impressed and shocked the world. Panama has a league, it may not be one of the top leagues, however there is a league and they get players playing constantly. In Trinidad and Tobago we don’t have that, we don’t have the full team playing at a certain point in time.

We have some players playing in Europe which is probably four or five,” Coker said.

He explained that competing four or five months during a year is not enough for T&T to be successful at the highest level.

“Definitely (a local league will increase the pool of players).

When you have a league it is so much better for us, because where we are situated in the world, the weather here is perfect all year around for beach football. Even in Europe, where they have their leagues running in the summer, in winter these players don’t really have anything to do (and they can come here).” Coker added that having top international beach players compete here will increase the standard of a local league.

Concerning the CONCACAF qualifiers, Coker said the team had solid preparations before the tournament, but said there were some mental lapses that cost the team.

“Everything was put in place for us preparation wise. It was amazing.

The team did not perform as well as we thought we should have.

There were a lot of stuff that happened both on and off the field of play that the players did not keep a mental edge on, like the officiating and some other little problems that we had, that we should have been a little more mentally prepared for.

“We had a couple injuries and a couple players had the flu. I am not making any excuses, but at the same time it is what it is. Where the performance is concerned, we had a very good showing. We were a lot better than we were in the last qualifiers in terms of the team’s performance.”

[Flex]

Augustine off to Beach Soccer InterCup in Russia.
TTFA Media.

Trinidad and Tobago Beach Soccer team captain Ryan Augustine has received an invitation to play for Spanish beach soccer club Torredembarra at the Inter Cup International Beach Soccer Cup 2017 in Saint Petersburg, Russia from March 20th-26th.

Augustine captained the T&T team which placed seventh at the CONCACAF Beach Soccer championship in the Bahamas last month.

The tournament will take place at the indoor beach stadium Dynamit and will include teams such as Spartak Moscow, Delta (Saratov), Joker (Novosibirsk), Sporting and Braga of Portugal, Lodge of Poland and Viaregio of Italy among other teams.

“ First up, I want to express my appreciation for all the support received from the TTFA, Beach Soccer Association, Ministry of Sport and all other parties involved. We have been pushing to get players outside every year to develop the programme,” Augustine told TTFA Media.

“I was fortunate enough to receive an invitation to one of the powerhouses in Russia, being invited to play for club Torredembarra of Spain at the InterCup in Russia. I got the invitation from player/coach Llorenc Gomez who also plays for FC Barcelona,” Augustine told TTFA Media.

Augustine will also line up alongside Spain national team player Eduard Suares and Swiss nationals Elliot Mounoud and Adrian Frutos.

“It’s an amazing opportunity to finally get into Russia because I know all players want to be able to showcase their talent in Russia because they have one of the most competitive leagues in the world. It’s an opportunity for me to show what Trinidad and Tobago has to offer and hopefully open new doors for other players from Trinidad and Tobago as we try to strengthen our team for the next set of World Cup qualifiers,” Augustine added.

[Flex]

U-18 Men’s Beach Soccer Screening takes place this weekend.
TTFA Media.

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association along with the Beach Soccer Association of T&T will stage opening Screening sessions this weekend geared towards National Under 18 Men’s Beach Soccer selection for the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games in the Bahamas.

Sessions will take place in Trinidad at Saith Park, Chaguanas  and in Tobago at Heritage Park, Turtle Beach from 9am on on Saturday April 22nd and Sunday April 23rd.

Interested Players are asked to please submit the follow on the day of screening:

Two passport size pictures
One copy birth paper
One  copy passport and or US visa.

Players must be born in 1999, 2000 or 2001 to be eligible for selection. Players should walk with one red t-shirt and one white t-shirt for the sessions.

The Under 18 initiative is a continuation of the TTFA’s Beach Soccer Programme. The Senior Beach Soccer team recently finished seventh at the CONCACAF Championship in the Bahamas.

Young athletes from 70 nations and territories will experience a Caribbean carnival of Commonwealth connections as the Opening Ceremony of the VIth Commonwealth Youth Games bursts into life. The Bahamas 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games will be the largest international sporting event ever to be hosted in The Bahamas, and the largest-ever edition of the Youth Games, with up to 1300 athletes aged 14-18 set to make the most of an inspiring and immersive mix of impactful sporting competition, personal development and new Commonwealth friendships.

Almost all events will be held in the same sporting precinct, the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre, which includes the world-class 15,000-seat Thomas A Robinson stadium, host to the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and Athletics. The sporting action will also reach out to the communities and streets of the island, with the Cycling competition to be held on the streets of New Providence.

[Flex]

TTFA stages Screening for Women Beach Soccer Players.
TTFA Media.

The first ever National Women Beach Soccer team will be formed to participate at the Commonwealth Youth Games in the Bahamas in July as this country will send a National Under 18 Women’s Team to the tournament.

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association will stage screening sessions for interested women players at Saith Park, Chaguanas on Saturday April 29th from 9am and Heritage Park, Turtle Beach, Tobago on Saturday April 29th from 4pm

Players are asked to please submit the follow on the day.

2 passport size pictures
1 copy birth paper
1 copy passport and or visa
Players must be born in the following years to be eligible –
1999
2000
2001

Players are ask to walk with one white shirt and one red shirt on screening days. For further information, interested persons should contact the TTFA at 623-9500 or 496-2222.

A T&T Under 18 Men’s Team will also participate in the Bahamas which is currently the host nation for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Finals kicking off this week in Nassau.

Young athletes from 70 nations and territories will experience a Caribbean carnival of Commonwealth connections as the Opening Ceremony of the VIth Commonwealth Youth Games bursts into life. The Bahamas 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games will be the largest international sporting event ever to be hosted in The Bahamas, and the largest-ever edition of the Youth Games, with up to 1300 athletes aged 14-18 set to make the most of an inspiring and immersive mix of impactful sporting competition, personal development and new Commonwealth friendships.

[Sam]

We team need to train like this youth.

https://www.facebook.com/footballdaily/videos/1677155529008514/?hc_ref=ARQ8CZlQH_mE0zTbJhy7cEMideyrSKVrz8Rb4z8bevOtUcDTnTq9nzDzPRD7HvQEffk

[Deeks]

I heard both both Boys and Girls won medals at the Junior Commonwealth games. Girls got Gold and Boys Silver?