Japan and Switzerland in quarterfinals

Dubai: Japan and Switzerland became the first two teams to qualify for the quarterfinals of the 2009 Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup being played at the Umm Suqueim Beach in Jumeirah on Tuesday.

Japan powered their way to a close 3-2 win against Ivory Coast to maintain a clean record of two wins from as many matches, while Switzerland made an impressive World Cup debut with a 7-2 mauling of Nigeria following their narrow 6-5 win against Bahrain on the opening day.

Today's match between the Swiss and Brazilians will decide the winners of Group D, while Nigeria and Bahrain will play for pride. On the other hand, things could get interesting in Group B with Spain still in with a chance to qualify along with Ivory Coast, who had squeezed past El Salvador 7-6 on the first day.

Spain fought with their backs against the wall for their 7-3 win against a gutsy El Salvador. Things were evenly poised with Augustin Ruiz opening the score to give El Salvador the lead, only to see star striker Ramiro Amarelle — who had missed Spain's first match loss due to an old foot injury — silence the South American supporters with an instant equaliser.

Ruiz scored the second of the evening when he crashed in a back pass from an otherwise vigilant Nico to give El Salvador the lead, but this was short-lived when Javier Torres's overhead kick found the far corner to level scores 2-2.

Nico made amends for his earlier mistake to help Spain take the lead for the first time with a strike from his own half, only to see Israel score his first of the tournament to be tied 3-3. However, Cristian Torres gave Spain the lead once again with a superb finish.

Wayo extended Spain's lead early in the third period with a strike from close and then Javier Torres got a second and Javi Millos converted to put it out of reach for the El Salvadorians 7-3.

Argentina also remained in the fray for a last eight spot when they bounced back from their narrow 3-2 loss to Italy on the first day with a smashing 6-0 pounding of a hapless Costa Rica.

After a barren first period, Argetina scored three in the second and doubled the scoring in the final period with Federico Hilaire getting a hat-trick and Agustin Dallera finding the goal twice. Argentina will play their last match against Russia today to decide the Group C winner.