Beach Football: UAE Victory

The rhythmic tune of the 1998 hit single To Brazil could be heard outside the arena by the Al Mamzar beach that had just finished hosting the Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup 2007 Asian qualifying round last weekend.

But it was not the Vengaboys performing a closing ceremony special, rather it was the elated UAE team, fresh from having sealed their ticket to the finals in Rio de Janeiro in splendid style with a 4-3 win over Japan.

The triumph sparked wild celebrations among fans which extended into the streets and well into the wee hours of the morning — scenes reminiscent of the UAE national team's Gulf Cup success earlier this year.

For team captain Bakhit Sa'ad, it does not get much better than providing a nation passionate about its football, whatever the form, with such joy. But he says victory hasn't come without a price and is aware of the challenge that awaits his team.

"For the 2006 qualifying round, we played without a coach and lost to China," recalled an emotional Sa'ad.

"This year we have trained regularly with our coach Marcelo [Mendes]. He was given the opportunity to teach us the rules of beach football which we didn't know before. And in just 20 days he has made us such a strong team, number one in Asia now. This is really something considering the experienced teams we faced liked Japan, Bahrain and Iran.

"So I appreciate the good work done by the coach, he left his family back home to help us, he has lifted this team and made it like one family."

It is clear the respect between the two is mutual as Mendes was quick to return the compliment.

"Bakhit played [the final] with a little injury and there were times when I wanted to change him but he looked at me and said, ‘No, coach, I can play for a little bit more'. This is a captain. A captain needs to give an example for everybody especially the younger players and he gives this example," said Mendes.

The UAE side will be counting on Sa'ad's leadership in Rio, not to mention his array of tricks that delighted the crowds here and earned him the "Best player of the tournament" accolade.

"All the best players and teams will be there, Eric Cantona will be there as manager of France, so we are happy to be playing with such famous names and professionals, but we will show them our skills too," Sa'ad said.