Portugal defeat hosts UAE in opening match

Dubai: Double golden boot winner Madjer struck a fine hat-trick to help a four-man Portugal to a fighting 7-5 win against host UAE on the opening day of the 2009 Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup last night.

Watched by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, the home side did much of their work in the opening period with three quick goals that left the European power gasping. But Portugal, reduced by a man in the third and final period, fought with their backs against the wall to collect full points and assert their supremacy against the hosts. Rami Al Mesaabi scored in the very first minute and Qambar Sadeqi from the spot to give the hosts a comfortable 2-0 lead. Bakhit Saad then sent the stadium into raptures with the third.