Al Nasr's Ali Karim recruited by Seattle
Two Emirati keepers, Al Ahli also to play in Brazil
Dubai: Al Nasr star Ali Karim will be joined by a pair of UAE goalkeepers in representing international teams at the upcoming Mundialito de Clubes tournament to be held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, later this month.
Karim, who has been the mainstay of the UAE beach soccer team for the past few years, has been picked up by the Seattle Sounders from the US for a second time, while Lokomotiv Moscow have secured the services of Humaid Jamal, and Ahmad Dad will be the stopper for Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon.
The second edition of the Mundialito de Clubes will be held at the Praia do Sol stadium in Sao Paulo from May 12-19.
Winner of UAE League
The three players from the UAE will not be the only local representatives in the event that features 12 teams from four continents, as the Al Ahli team will also compete after clinching the inaugural UAE Beach Soccer League crown last month. Al Ahli have bolstered their squad by securing the services of talented youngsters such as Abbas Mousa, Rami, Adil, Qambar and former UAE skipper Bakhit Sa'ad.
Al Ahli are in Group C along with Corinthians of Brazil, Lokomotiv from Russia and Sporting Lisbon.
Wins over Qatar
Meanwhile, the UAE team recorded two contrasting friendly wins against neighbours Qatar at the Al Mamzar Beach park here last week.
In their first match, a second-string UAE earned a battling 4-3 win with Khalid Esmail and Butti Mohammad scoring a brace each.
Coach Marcelo Mendes then fielded his first choice team and the hosts romped to a 5-1 win, with Rashid Ahmad getting a brace and Ali Karim, Mohammad Muftah and goalkeeper Humaid also on target.
The matches were part of the UAE's preparations for the 3rd Asian Beach Games, which will be held in Haiyang, China, from June 16-23.
