SAN JOSE, Costa Rica -- For the first time a Costa Rican women's futsal team will travel to compete at the 2012 Mundial de Futsal Femenino (Futsal Women's World Tournament) in Azeméis, Portugal, December 3-9.
Hoping to follow in the success of its men's team, which captured its second CONCACAF title in Guatemala this past July and qualified for the FIFA Futsal World Cup, the young Ticas (average age - 22.7) -- under the direction of head coach Carlos Alberto Sotela -- features six players from Alajuela Futsal, the recently crowned first division champion.
Costa Rica, which is only the second-ever CONCACAF team (other Guatemala in 2010) to take part in the 3rd annual international event, is in Group B with Malaysia, Russia, Spain and Ukraine.
Group A consists of the host, Iran, Japan, Venezuela and two-time champion Brazil.
Costa Rica Women's Futsal Roster
GOALKEEPERS: Katherine Corrales (Alajuela Futsal); Tracy Villalobos (Domingo U.C.R.);
DEFENDERS: María Fernanda Barrantes (Alajuela Futsal), Tatiana Cascante (Alajuela Futsal), Daniela Hidalgo (CCDR Desamparados), Natalia Lopez (CCDR Desamparados), Alejandra Perez (Universidad Nacional), Priscila Torres (Alajuela Futsal), Mónica Vargas (Alajuela Futsal)
MIDFIEDERS: Andrea Avila (Universidad Nacional), Joselyn Flores (Coronado Futsal Venus), Keylin Gorgona (Universidad Nacional);
FORWARDS: Marisol Arias (Alajuela Futsal), Yendry Villalobos (Coronado Futsal Venus).
TD: Carlos Alberto SOTELA
2012 Mundial de Futsal Femenino - Azeméis, Portugal
(Local Time)
December 3
Russia - Malaysia (11:00)
Ukraine - Costa Rica (14:30)
Iran - Venezuela (17:00)
Portugal - Japan (19:30)
December 4
Spain - Ukraine (11:00)
Russia - Costa Rica (14:30)
Brazil - Iran (17:00)
Portugal - Venezuela (19:30)
December 5
Malaysia - Costa Rica (11:00)
Spain - Russia (14:30)
Japan - Venezuela (17:00)
Brazil - Portugal (19:30)
Rest day: Iran, Ukraine
December 6
Spain - Costa Rica (11:00)
Malaysia - Ukraine (14:30)
Brazil - Venezuela (17:00)
Japan - Iran (19:30)
December 7
Russia - Ukraine (17:00)
Spain - Malaysia (17:00)
Brazil - Japan (19:30)
Portugal - Iran (19:30)
December 8
Consolation Round
A5 - B5 (11:00)
A4 - B4 (14:00)
Semifinals
A1 - B2 (17:00)
B1 - A2 (19:30)
December 9
Fifth Place
A3 - B3 (11:00)
Third Place
Semifinal Losers (17:00)
Final
Semifinal Winners (19:30)
