At Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, 37 of Seattle’s international communities faced off this weekend for their chance to represent their home countries in the Round of 16, the next step on their way to the All Nations Cup Championship.

With international music in the air, cultural performances on the stage, and soccer on the fields, Seattle area soccer fans had plenty to keep them busy this weekend as All Nations Cup 2006 begun with the Qualifiers Festival Weekend. Over just three day, July 14th to the 16th, 58 matches were played before the final 16 teams were revealed.

Filling the first 12 berths for the round of 16 are the top three teams from each of the four All Nations Cup Regions. From the African region,
Cameroon, Djibouti, and region leaders Gambia will be moving on. From
the Americas region, Brazil, Mexico, and retuning All Nations Cup Champions USA will be moving on. From the Asian Region, Tibet, Japan and regions leaders Vietnam will be moving on. Finally from the European Region, Bosnia, Great Britain, and region leaders Russia took the last three of the top 12 berths for the Round of 16.

The Crossover matches, the last of the Qualifiers Festival Weekend, were some of the fiercest of the weekend, with the fourth and fifth place teams from each region fighting the final four berths for the Round of 16. In the end, Colombia, Ireland, Peru, and Tanzania came out ahead and earned their place in the next round of matches.

All Nations Cup will continue Friday July 21st with Masters Division games followed by Round of 16 games, the Woman’s Regional tournament, youth games and more Masters Division games on the weekend of July 22nd and July 23rd. Quarterfinals and semifinals will take place from July 25th through the 27th, all culminating in Championship Games Day on July 29th.

Teams Moving on to the Round of 16:

Group A:
Gambia
Japan
Mexico
Ireland

Group B:
USA
Great Britain
Djibouti
Peru

Group C:
Russia
Cameroon
Tibet
Colombia

Group D:
Vietnam
Brazil
Bosnia
Tanzania

Further All Nations Cup Info:

All Nations Cup will be held at the Starfire Sports Complex in Fort Dent Part, Tukwila. (6840 Fort Dent Way, Tukwila, WA 98188) All Nations Cup Detailed Schedule and Admission:

July 22-23
$5/day
Round of 16, Women's Regional,
Master's Division, Youth Games

July 25-27
$5/day
Quarterfinals and Semifinals

July 29
$10
Championship Games Day

Full Tournament Passes are available for $28
Children 12 and under are admitted FREE to all events

For more information about the tournament, ticket sales or volunteer opportunities, visit www.allnationscup.org or contact Sister Communities at (206) 267-9000.

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