Dubai: Brazil extended their winning record at the Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup to four straight titles after demolishing Switzerland 10-5 in the final at Umm Suqeim beach on Sunday night.
The South Americans have remained unmatched since they first won the championship in 2006 and their Dubai victory provided enough evidence that the Seleção will dominate in years to come. Andre, Betinho and Buru all netted twice, while skipper Benjamin, Sidney, Daniel Souza and finally Bueno's fierce free-strike at the death ensured a fairly comfortable win for rampant Brazil.
The Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup will no longer be an annual affair with the next tournament slated for 2011, but goal-scoring hero Buru, one of the playmakers in this all-conquering Brazil side, said the Samba Boys will be ready to defend the title even if the squad undergoes a major makeover.
"We have won the World Cup a few times now because of our dedication and hard work. This team has been together for a long time and that's one of the reasons for its success, but future teams will be strong as well because we are Brazil; we work hard and take our sport very seriously," he said.
Togetherness scores
His captain Benjamin added: "Thanks to God and this wonderful group of players we have been able to win our fourth title. We won because of our togetherness, our respect for each other and the love that there is in the camp, and this fourth title is reward for all our hard work. We'd like to dedicate it to our families, the people of Brazil and to everyone who has supported us along the way."
Mo Jaeggy, Dejan Stankovic, Michael Rodrigues, Stephan Meier and Angelo Schirinzi all got onto the score sheet for the Swiss, with Stankovic winning both the adidas Golden Ball and Shoe, prizes for the Player of the Tournament and Highest Scorer of the Tournament (16 goals).
Swiss captain Schirinzi said: "I'm very proud of my team. We kept fighting till the end and we managed to put five past Brazil, which is not easy."
Three-time Golden Shoe recipient, Portugal captain Madjer fired seven as his side equalled its third-place winning performance of 2008 with a superb 14-7 beating of Uruguay. "Our aim was to at least come away with a medal. It's always an honour for me to win an individual award. One day, though, we hope to go on and become the champions," Madjer said.
Brazil goalkeeper Mao was adjudged Goalkeeper of the Tournament, while Japan and Russia won the Fifa Fair Play award.
