Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Dubai: A total of 16 Asian nations will participate in the Asian qualifiers for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Tahiti 2013 to be held at the Katara Beach in Doha from January 22 to 26.
The 2011 Asian Beach Soccer Champions Japan alongside with hosts Qatar, Afghanistan, Australia, Bahrain, China, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan are the participating teams.
“We are extremely pleased that Qatar is hosting the AFC qualifiers of the largest-ever FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. I look forward to an exciting and enjoyable event geared towards families and wish the best of luck to all of the participating teams,” the vice chairman of the Local Organizing Committee Nasser Al Khater was quoted by the www.gulfnews.com.
The first placed teams from each group advance to the semi-finals. The two finalists and the third place play-off winner will qualify for the seventh edition of the Beach Soccer World Cup, to be held from September 18 to 28 in Papeete, on the Pacific island of Tahiti.
GROUPINGS
Group A: Qatar, Oman, Australia and Afghanistan.
Group B: Japan, Bahrain, Lebanon and Thailand.
Group C: United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Palestine and Saudi Arabia.
Group D: Iran, China, Iraq and the Philippines.