Saturday 11 February 2017, 23:45

Brazil, Paraguay book tickets for Bahamas

Brazil and Paraguay have secured the first two tickets from South America to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017, after teeing up a clash in the final of the Eliminatorias CONMEBOL.

Brazil, the four-time champions at FIFA's global showcase, continue their run of appearing at every edition of the tournament so far, lining up a ninth appearance. They did so in some style, too, having seen off Argentina emphatically 7-1 in the semi-final.

Paraguay are wholly less seasoned on the international stage, but earned a third-successive appearance at the finals - having only made their debut at Tahiti 2013. The qualifying hosts' passage was somewhat more fraught than their Brazilian counterparts, needing extra-time to negotiate beyond Ecuador in a 5-3 win, with Carlos Carballo striking twice in the additional period.

The defeated pair will have one more shot at reaching Bahamas 2017, with the third-place finisher also set to progress. Argentina and Ecuador will face off ahead of the final 12 February.