Iran to play Italy in Beach Soccer World Cup opener

MNA – RAVENNA, Iran will play host Italy in its opening match of the 2011 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup on September 1.

The Iranian team left Tehran on Sunday to take part in the competition which will take place at the Stadio del Mare in Ravenna, Italy from September 1 to 11.


Iran has been drawn in Group A alongside Italy, Senegal and Switzerland.
“Our group is tough but we are going to book a place in the next stage. We want to show our power to the world,” head of Iran Beach Soccer Committee Reza Ali said.

The 2011 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup will be the sixth edition of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

Altogether 16 teams divided into four groups composed of four teams. The winners and runners-up in each group will qualify for the knockout stages, with all games played on the beautiful beach of Ravenna.

Groups:
Group A: Italy, Iran, Senegal, Switzerland
Group B: Argentina, El Salvador, Oman, Portugal
Group C: Nigeria, Russia, Tahiti, Venezuela
Group D: Brazil, Japan, Mexico, Ukraine