The past
El Salvador's performance in April's regional qualifying competition in Mexico was a huge improvement on their 2007 showing, when they finished last and failed to record a single victory. This time around, the Cuscatlecos booked their place at Marseille 2008 by finishing second at the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship.

The Salvadorans did not get off to the best of starts on the sands of Puerto Vallarta, though their performance in a 4-2 defeat to host nation and Rio de Janeiro 2007 runners-up Mexico suggested better things were to come.

Indeed, in their second game El Salvador shocked the United States 6-5, before edging out Costa Rica after extra time in their final match. Their place at the world showpiece in France was still in the balance, however, until Mexico ended the Stars and Stripes' hopes with a 2-1 defeat.

The present
El Salvador are back after a lengthy absence from a FIFA-organised competition. Against all the odds, the Cuscatlecos finished in second place in CONCACAF qualifying ahead of a strong United States side and are now set to appear at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Marseille 2008.

The tournament on French sands will be the Salvadorans' first appearance at the showpiece event. And coach Rudis Gonzalez will surely cite Mexico as an example of what can be achieved, after the Tricolor went all the way to the Final on their own competition debut at Rio de Janeiro 2007.

The future
"We're happy. The players managed to overcome the stage fright they felt during qualifying. They just weren't used to playing in front of 5,000 spectators. Now we have to prepare thoroughly, because the World Cup will be very tough, but we're confident of a putting in a good performance," said Jose de la Cruz, national coordinator for El Salvadorian beach soccer, after the team had qualified for Marseille 2008.

Facts and figures
Former stars
El Salvador's beach soccer history goes back only a few years, and their most noted exponents of the discipline continue to be involved with the national team.

Key players
Luis Rodas (2007-present), Jose Membreno (2007-present), Walter Torres (2007-present), Jose Agustin Ruiz (2007-present)

Qualifying statistics
El Salvador finished second in the CONCACAF qualifying competition after recording one win in normal time, one extra-time success and a defeat against host nation Mexico. The Cuscatlecos scored 13 goals and conceded an equal number.

The numbers game
6. The goal tally of Salvadoran star and competition top scorer Jose Agustin Ruiz at the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship 2008.