Howard Walker, Staff Reporter

Defending champions Portmore United kick off the Red Stripe Light Beach Futbol semi-final round against Star Cosmos at 10:00 a.m. at the Hellshire Beach, before a Brazilian Invitational team tackle Rivoli at 11:05 pm.

The semi-final round, to be played in a round robin format, will see St. Mary-based Star Cosmos playing Rivoli of St. Catherine and the Brazilian Invitational challenging Portmore.

Due to the threat of tropical storm Ernesto, the final which was set for tomorrow has been brought forward and will take place today.

Last year Argentina emerged as overall champions but Portmore United finished as the the top local club, and will want to repeat that performance, or go one better.

The highest ranking local team will secure $200,000 with $100,000 for second prize. In addition, each semi-final team will also pocket $50,000.

Leading goalscorer Sheldon Palmer of Portmore with 13 goals, should be a handful for the Star Cosmos team. He should be ably assisted by Ricardo Cousins and Ryan Powell.

Star Cosmos should look to the Barrington James, Leighton McDonald and Adrian Henry to lead their charges.

Rivoli United with the Planter brothers of Derrick and Barrington, along with Marvin Henry, will have their hands full against a Brazilian team boasting the likes of Antonio de Oliveira Filho, better known as Careca.

Careca was Brazil's top goalscorer in the 1986 World Cup with five goals, and should prove very difficult to contain.

Other players on the Brazilian team are Magal, nicknamed "The General, who is said to be extremely skilful; the prolific Frances Feberov who rattled up 60 goals in the last two years of Beach Futbol.

Then there is Hall of Famer, Roberto Ceciliano, who launched Beach futbol in the USA, Marcelo Bueno and Diego Gimenez de Almeida (CID).