Year in Review: El Salvador climbs to join Mexico among CONCACAF’s beach soccer elite

A changing of the guard on the beach could see a new era in beach soccer competition in CONCACAF in the years ahead.

Upstart El Salvador joined perennial power Mexico in advancing to the Beach Soccer World Cup 2008.

The trip to France marked its first appearance in the event and the first time El Salvador played in a FIFA world championship in 26 years.

It didn’t last long, though, overwhelmed by Portugal and Italy on the way to three losses and a last-place finish in the group stage. Not even a match against Oceania’s Solomon Islands could prevent a third straight loss and trip home.

But the bigger disappointment was Mexico, which was expected to build on its runner-up finish to Brazil in last year’s World Cup. The perennial powerhouse finished third in its group behind Brazil and Spain, with a win and two losses, and failed to reach the quarterfinals.

Though success on the world stage eluded them, Mexico and El Salvador still proved they were the class of CONCACAF.

The two took the top spots in the four-team CONCACAF qualifying tournament in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Mexico rolled to three easy wins on the way to a first-place finish. Meanwhile, El Salvador, despite losing to Mexico in its first match, shocked the USA and then squeaked by winless Costa Rica.

The victory over the Americans was easily the highlight of the tournament as it rattled the three-time Beach Soccer World Cup participants, a setback that ultimately led to their elimination.

“God was on our side and we must thank Him for that,” El Salvadoran El Salvadoran forward Elias Ramirez said. “He gave us the strength we needed to pull off some great results.”

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