The Tribune

BAHAMAS

World ranking: 48

Group A: with Ecuador

(21), Senegal (17) and

Switzerland (6)

The road to Nassau

As hosts of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2017, the Bahamas were not required to qualify for the April/May showpiece event. In spite of that, they opted to stage and take part in the 2017 CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship, in which they finished sixth.

The hosts began the tournament in exemplary fashion winning their opening three group games against Guyana (4-1), Belize (3-0) and Jamaica (3-2). However, that run ended in the quarter-finals with a 5-3 defeat by Guadeloupe (3-5). In the end, they had to settle for sixth place after going down 4-2 to the United States.

Strengths and style

The Bahamas’ standout player is talented forward Lesly St Fleur, who carried his side’s hopes at the qualifying event by scoring nine of their 12 goals.

The team’s well-drilled defence also caught the eye, particularly in the first phase when it was breached only three times. Playing a big part in that was their dependable goalkeeper Ivan Rolle, whose fine reflexes were in evidence throughout.

FIFA Beach Soccer

World Cup record

This will be the Bahamas’ first participation at a Beach Soccer World Cup. At 48, they are the lowest ranked team in the world standings at the finals.

• The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017 will be held in Nassau from April 27 to May 7.