06.08.2007 The Asian qualifying groups for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2007 have been
redrawn following the withdrawal of Thailand and Philippines.
With the continental field reduced from eight to six teams, half of the participants in
Dubai later this month will claim a place at the world finals, which will take place on the
Copacabana sands from 2 to 11 November.
The sextet have been split into two pools of three, with the teams playing both of their
group rivals once and the top two in each section advancing to the semi-finals. The two
finalists along with the winner of the match for third place will be on the flight to
Brazil's south-east.
Group A will feature the hosts UAE, India and Japan, who were edged out by eventual bronze
medalists France 3-2 in their quarter-final at last year's FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
Bahrain, who also reached the last eight at Rio de Janeiro 2006, will be joined in Group B
by Iran and China.
Mamzar beach will host the Asian qualifying tournament, which will get underway on 14 August
and reach its conclusion four days later.
