Action heats up at Beach World Cup

Three-time reigning world champions Brazil and Japan have been the most impressive so far, winning all three group matches in the preliminary rounds.

"But from now on we cannot think about losing. A loss means no more World Cup so we need to make winning a habit from now on," Portugal's Madjer said after they went through to the next stage with a 6-1 win over the Solomon Islands to set up a meeting against high-flying Japan.

Guided by the tactical brilliance of coach Ruy Ramos, Japan have been impressive working their way through all three matches against Spain, Ivory Coast and El Salvador.

"From now on, it really doesn't matter who you are up against. A win and you go to the next stage, a loss and you are back home," said Madjer, the winner of the adidas Golden Shoe in 2006 and 2008. Spain's sensation Ramiro Amarelle was also relieved after his team advanced to a quarterfinal meet against Uruguay today.

"It's no longer easy being a team with a big name. Though I have seen only a few matches it is enough to convince me that all teams are getting better by the day," Amarelle said.

Spain showed that they are incapable, to a certain extent, without Amarelle's brilliance after their shock loss to Japan in their opening group match. But they came back strongly to win against Ivory Coast and El Salvador to cement their place in the knockouts. Barring Wednesday's tie-breaker loss to non-qualifiers Argentina, the Russians have shown a strong defence, letting in just five goals in their three matches so far. And they come up against an equally compact Switzerland who had the distinction of matching the mighty Brazilians through much of their group match on Wednesday.

Quarterfinal action gets under way at 4.30pm today at the Umm Suqeim Beach in Jumeirah.

Today's fixtures

(Quarterfinals) (4.30 pm) Japan vs Portugal

(6 pm) Russia vs Switzerland

(7.30 pm) Brazil vs Italy

(9 pm) Uruguay vs Spain