International talent arrives for beach soccer tourney

Beach soccer is gaining momentum in China, as an international tournament entertained local fans in its third edition in Hebei province on the weekend.

The "GoalFun" China-Latin America Beach Soccer Championship brought some of the world's best beach soccer players from Chile, Mexico and Uruguay — three international powers in the sport — to compete against the host team in a two-day round-robin tournament on the Tangshan International Tourism Island.

Beating all three opponents in two days, Uruguay won the championship on Sunday while providing fans a demonstration of skill on the sand. Mexico and Chile finished second and third respectively, while the host finished last. But in the process, China had its young players tested in drills against the world's best.