Beach Soccer: Tri-Nation National Day Tournament |28 June 2023

The Barea and the Sand Warriors will meet in today’s final (Photos: Roland Duval)

Sand Warriors to meet Barea in today’s final

The Sand Warriors, a selection of players from different teams playing in the local league, and the Barea, a team of Malagasy players currently playing in the local national leagues, are the finalists of the National Day tri-nation tournament scheduled for tonight at the Roche Caïman Beach Soccer Arena.

In the first semifinal yesterday, the Barea eliminated the Burundi national side, while in the second final four encounter, the Sand Warriors dispatched Seychelles Blue made up of half of the national team.

Both finalists were initially drawn in pool A in the group stage where the Malagasies finished on top with maximum nine points from three wins in as many matched played, including a 6-2 victory over the Sand Warriors, who finished as the group’s runners-up on six points from two wins and one defeat.

In yesterday’s semifinal, the Barea edged out the Burundians 5-4, while penalty shootouts were needed to choose a winner between Sand Warriors and Seychelles Blue. The Sand warriors won 5-3 on penalties after the match had ended 4-4.

To reach the semifinal, Seychelles Blue dominated pool B with three victories in as many matches played, collecting maximum nine points, while Burundi finished as runners-up on six points from two wins and one defeat.

Prior to today’s final which will kick-off at 7.45pm, there will be the third-place classification match between Burundi and Seychelles Blue, kicking-off at 6.30pm.

Roland Duval