Sport | Football
UAE to tackle world's best on beach
Asian champions UAE are poised to make beach soccer history when they take on three of the best teams in the world later this weekend.
- By Alaric Gomes, Senior Reporter
- Published: 22:31 August 4, 2009
- Image Credit: Gulf News archive
- Ali Al Mubarak (9) and Bakhit Sa'ad (10) of the UAE in action against Uzbekistan's Akhadjon Yuspov (7) and a teammate during the World Cup Qualifiers at the Jumeirah Park. The 2009 Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup will be held in Dubai in November.
Dubai: Asian champions UAE are poised to make beach soccer history when they take on three of the best teams in the world later this weekend.
The UAE squad, led by Brazilian coach Marcelo Mendes, left for Portugal late last night to participate in the Mondialito 2009 - the mini World Cup for beach soccer.
Brazil are the three-time defending world champions, Spain qualify as European champions while Portugal has made it as hosts and as the second best team in Europe.
"It's like a dream playing against the three best teams in the world," Mendes told Gulf News.
"We are not going there to make up the numbers, but to gain experience and confidence ahead of the World Cup here [in November]," Mendes said.
To many this may seem like a vain boast. But to Mendes, one time coach of the Portuguese beach soccer team, this goal is within reach for the UAE. Under the experienced Mendes and former national team player Bakhit Sa'ad as skipper, the UAE has won the Asian title twice.
Last month, they travelled to South America for a training camp and beat the mighty Brazilians 2-1 in their own backyard.
"How many teams can perform such a feat in the world of football?" Mendes asked.
"The UAE team has achieved this and we hope to be even better prepared for Mondialito 2009 this week," Mendes promised.
The UAE take on hosts Portugal on Friday, play world champions Brazil the next day and round off their campaign against European champions Spain on August 9.
"We go to a competition with a winning mentality always. We know we will be up against the three best teams in the world, but we also believe in our players and our team.
"Our aim is to focus on good results so that we continue with our build-up for the World Cup here," Mendes stated.
The 2009 Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup, attracting 16 of the best teams from around the globe will be held in Dubai from November 16 to 22.
Team UAE has been training together under Mendes for the past few months with the ultimate goal of finishing in the top-four.
"That's the ultimate goal for us and such competitions against some of the best teams in the world can only help us build the confidence of our youngsters," Mendes said.
Dr Ahmad Sa'ad Al Sharif, Dubai Sports Council Secretary General also showed a lot of confidence in the ability of the UAE's team.
"They have shown they can beat the best teams following their win against Brazil last month.
"We are confident they will give it their best shot in Portugal and continue their preparations for the World Cup," Sharif stated.
Do you think the UAE team has a good chance of winning the 2009 Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup? Will the home ground advantage place them ahead of the competition?
Your comments
i think uae team can do something in the world cup 2009 because it will do good prepation.good luck for uae team.
Hamdan
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: August 05, 2009, 11:29
hope for the best and good luck .one who plays with good skills and strategy will win the game.home ground always support the players and thier morale will be high rather playing on other ground.
Shahzad Shaikh
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 05, 2009, 10:58
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