Dubai:
The UAE will contest for a consolation fifth spot against world champions Portugal on the final day of the Fifth Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) on Saturday.
The hosts earned the right to play the Europeans following a hard-fought 3-2 win against Mexico, after Portugal had coasted their way to a 6-2 win against Argentina earlier in the day.
Stunned by unfancied and first-time entrants Egypt in their opener, the UAE had signed off with a 5-4 win over former two-time champions Russia to finish third in Group A. After that opening day blimp, the hosts managed to record their first win against Argentina and then accounted for Russia in their last preliminary group match on Wednesday.
After a barren first period, the hosts went clear when Ahmad Bashir pounced on a rebound to slot home. But Gerardo Gomez made it 1-1. Walid Bashir gave the hosts the lead in the fourth minute of the final period, but Gonzalo Picardo brought things on level terms with barely a couple of minutes left. However, Walid Bashir got the second of the evening in the final minute to see the hosts through for a meeting against Portugal.
Earlier on Friday, Portugal got off to a slow start to quell Argentina 6-2 and book their place in the fight for the fifth spot against the UAE. Jordan Santos opened the score for Portugal while Bruno Novo doubled the score in the first period.
In the second period, Leonardo Santos made it 3-0 for the world champions only to see Federico Hilaire pull one back for Argentina. The world champions continued their domination with Jose Maria Fonseca’s goal. Hilaire got his second of the evening only to see Santos match his efforts and make it 4-2. Jordan Santos established a three-goal cushion with his second and Novo wrapped things up for a comfortable win.
In the earlier four editions, the UAE has finished in third place on two occasions — in 2013 and 2012, while Portugal’s best position has been a third position in last year’s edition that was won by Brazil.
Saturday’s final has been preponed for 4pm to allow fans to travel for the first leg of the AFC Champions League between Al Ahli and Guangzhou Evergrande.
