Dubai: Multiple world champions Brazil, two-time inter-continental champions Russia and European champions Portugal were the big winners, while hosts UAE went down to Morocco on the opening day of the Fourth Samsung Beach Soccer Inter-Continental Cup on Tuesday.

Played at the custom-built sand pitch at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC), it was a sound team display from Brazil as they swamped the USA 10-3, Russia ran away 9-3 victors against Japan while the hosts fought well before caving in to a 4-3 loss against Morocco.

In the final match of the night, Portugal rode on a double from skipper Joao Vitor Madjer to secure an exciting 4-2 win against defending champions Iran.

After a barren first period, it was Madjer who gave the Europeans the lead in the fourth minute following a superb move with Nuno Belchior. But Iran responded superbly with Mohammad Ahmadzadeh coming up with two lovely strikes in as many minutes to lead for the first time at the end of the second period.

Portugal returned with fresh ideas in the final period and it was Nuno Belchior who nudged a Madjer pass for the equaliser in the very first minute. Madjer came up with a lovely overhead kick to restore Portugal’s lead, and three minutes later goalkeeper Seyed Peyman Hosseinilargani watched in horrow as a Belchior attempt strayed past his reach.

Earlier, the UAE fought well till the end before succumbing to a heart-breaking 4-3 loss against African champions Morocco.

The young UAE side looked nervous and dazed and the Moroccans made full use of this as skipper Nassim Al Hadaoui showed his class by bagging three for the winners.

Morocco led 1-0 at the end of the first period through Al Hadaoui’s goal. Azzedine Al Hamidy doubled the lead early in the second period and Al Hadaoui got his second immediately after that.

But Abbas Ali Naseri Daryaei struck twice within a couple of minutes and Hassan Ali Helal Al Hammadi secured the equaliser with five minutes left. However, Al Hadaoui broke home fans’ hearts with a superb strike with 3.23 minutes to go.

In the second match, Kirill Romanov, Yury Krasheninninkov, Dmitry Shishin and Anatoliy Peremitin scored a brace each as Russia buried Asian side Japan 9-3. The Russians were clinical in their finishing as they took a comfortable 5-1 lead at the end of the opening period with Masahito Toma pulling one back for Japan. In the second period, both sides were evenly matched with both scoring two goals apiece. In the final period, Russia clamped down on their defence and had enough perseverance to score a couple of goals on quick counters to complete the scoreline.

Results: Brazil 10 USA 3; Russia 9 Japan 3; Morocco 4 UAE 3; Portugal 4 Iran 2

Wednesday fixtures: Portugal vs Morocco; Brazil vs Japan; Russia vs USA; UAE vs Iran