Dubai: The UAE Beach Soccer coach has upped the ante to ensure his young team can fulfil their potential going into next month’s Sixth Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup Dubai.
The five-day tournament that brings together the best seven teams from across the world along with hosts the UAE, will be held at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) from November 1-5.
The UAE will be joined by Tahiti, Brazil and Poland in Group A, while defending three-time champions Russia will be challenged by Iran, USA and Egypt in Group B. The best two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals while the others will vie for placing spots.
The UAE recently returned from a disheartening campaign at the Fifth Asian Beach Games held in Danang, Vietnam after losing to ultimate champions Japan 6-2 in the quarter-finals. On landing, the UAE’s Brazilian coach Gustavo Henrique Zloccowick (Guga) set about earnestly trying to rectify the team’s errors through a one-month training camp that is being now being held at the UAE Football Association (UAE FA) beach soccer facility at Al Khawaneej.
The UAE open their campaign against former three-time world champions and tournament favourites Brazil on November 1 followed by their other two group matches on the trot against Tahiti and Poland. With time running out, Guga has got his team to play two friendly matches against Ajman-based Sport 4 All so far. The UAE won the first one last week 7-3 and the second one 8-3 last Monday. The UAE will play one more friendly against the same opponents later this week before taking a one-day break prior to a series of three international friendlies against Russia, Egypt and Hungary from October 27 to 29.
“Just going through two training sessions on a daily basis can be pretty tough and boring. So it is a must to give the youngsters a competitive feel and we are thankful to Sport 4 All in lending all assistance in backing our plans,” Guga told Gulf News.
“During the friendly matches we have not only been able to implement tactics, but also have a closer look at the players and see how they have been progressing. We are on the right track and I really don’t have any reason for complaints,” the Brazilian coach added.
Two third-place finishes have been the best that the UAE has come up with in the past five years of this tournament. The first was against Nigeria who they beat 8-7 in extra-time in 2012, and then the following year, the hosts defeated Switzerland by the same scoreline. “I think we are moving slowly and step-by-step towards our goal of reaching the semi-final, and once we achieve this goal then anything can happen,” Guga pointed out.
“Having world champions Brazil in our group has its advantages and disadvantages. But I am happy we are playing them on the first day. It will be make or break for us from the start, and I am confident this team will respond to the challenge,” the UAE coach added.
Entry for all matches on all five days will be free for the general public with organisers lining up an array of activities on the sidelines to keep spectators entertained.
