Dubai: The UAE’s beach soccer coach Gustavo Henrique Zloccowick (Guga) has urged his players to put their heavy defeat behind them and concentrate attaining maximum points in their next games at the Sixth Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental World Cup being played at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC).
Late on Tuesday, the former four-time World Champions Brazil mauled the home side 11-1 to top a Group A that also includes Poland and Tahiti.
UAE coach Guga was at a loss for words to see his side cave in after trailing the South Americans 1-2 at the end of the first period. Brazil added five goals in the second period and another four in the final one to hand the UAE one of the most severe defeats ever of this annual tournament.
“I really cannot explain what happened this evening. Maybe the players were nervous because they were playing against a team like Brazil, or maybe they were first match jitters. Honestly, this is not what we had trained for during the entire month,” Guga told media.
“Losing against Brazil is not a big deal really, and whatever the case, we need to really fight hard and win our next two matches if we need to make it to the semi-finals on Friday,” he added.
The hosts were scheduled to take on Tahiti on Wednesday, and then face Poland in their third and final preliminary round match on Thursday.
“There is no second way for us. We need the six points to finish at least second in the group and advance to the knockout stages,” Guga insisted.
