58 - QUARTERLY REVIEW
BREAKING NEW GRO THE COPA LIBERTADORES FUTBOL PLAYA
F
ollowing the success of the Copa America Futbol Playa in Santos, the Sao Paolo city once again demonstrated its hosting credentials when it staged the inaugural Copa Libertadores Futbol Playa in January. Featuring the national champions of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Paraguay, Colombia, Uruguay, Bolivia and Venezuela, the tournament brought together South America’s best clubs and players for seven days of top-class beach soccer. Vasco da Gama set the early pace in the group stages, claiming maximum points from their clashes with Deportes Iquique, Club Malvin, Hamacas FC and Real Academia. With the Brazilian champions assured top spot in Group A, all eyes turned to Group B with Club Atletico Rosario Central doing enough to top their pool. Rosario of Argentina bounced back from an early 5-4 defeat to Punta Hermosa to beat Santa Marta and Club Nautico Puerta del Lago - moving into the semis alongside Vasco in the process. Iquique and Punta Hermosa were the sides to fall in the final four - going down to Rosario and Vasco respectively - while Malvin and Club Nautico clinched the play-offs for seventh and fifth place. Fans then flocked to the Praia do Gonzaga for a final that would turn out to be a somewhat one-sided affair. Rosario could do little to stop their Brazilian counterparts as MVP Mauricinho and top scorer Bokinha ran riot with a hat-trick apiece to help wrap up an 8-1 victory. With many of the Vasco side having been in international action for Brazil at the Copa America weeks earlier, the form of many of the country’s players is looking promising ahead of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.