Dubai: UAE coach Marcelo Mendes has drafted four new players in his squad of 12 that was named earlier this week for the Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup.
Al Shabab goalkeeper Obaid Thani, Al Nasr striker Abbas Ali Daryaei, Ajman Club forward Hussain Ali Saeed Al Hammadi and Al Wasl midfielder Butti Abdul Hussain are the newcomers in his squad of 12 announced earlier this week.
“It will be a huge moment for these newcomers, but I have ensured we get them prepared in the right way so that they are all able to deliver in such an important competition,” Mendes told Gulf News.
“We have the experienced players like Ali Karim, Qambar Ali and Adel Al Rahi so that they can pass on their experience to these young players and get them prepared for the long run,” the Brazilian coach said.
The UAE has been put in Group A along with Tahiti, USA and Russia during this competition. The hosts will open their campaign against Tahiti on October 30, face the US the next day and round off their campaign against defending world champions Russia.
“We need to be realistic in such a competition that has the best teams from across the world coming to Dubai. But we have our players ready and we can be confident that they will give their best on the big stage,” Mendes confided.
Also figuring in the line-up is former beach soccer captain Bakhit Saad, who now takes on his new role as team manager. “We need to start off on a winning note and for this it is important to get a good result against Tahiti on the opening night,” the Brazilian coach remarked.
“But no match is going to be easy. We will continue working hard towards the tournament,” he promised.
The Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup, organised by the Dubai Sports Council (DSC) in league with world governing body Fifa, will be held at a specially-built sand pitch at the Dubai Festival City from October 30 to November 3.
Entry for spectators to the competition on all five days is free.
