Dubai
The UAE Beach Soccer coach is confident of a first major upset as his team readies to take on three-time world champions Brazil in their opening match of the Sixth Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup Dubai.
The five-day tournament that brings together the best seven teams from across the globe joining hosts the UAE, will be held at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) from November 1-5.
The UAE will be joined by Brazil, Tahiti and Poland in Group A, while defending three-time champions Russia will face Iran, USA and Egypt in Group B with the best two teams from each group earning a spot in the semi-finals.
“It’s better we face a strong opponent like Brazil early in the tournament as the first match is the toughest for most teams. But we are playing in front of our fans and we hope we can create a major upset in our opening match,” Brazilian coach Gustavo Henrique Zloccowick (Guga) told Gulf News.
“This team has shown a lot of dedication and effort during the past few weeks, and I am pleased with the way they have responded to everything that I have told them to do during training,” he complimented.
The UAE squad of nearly 20 players has been attending a camp at the Al Mamzar Beach and the UAE FA facilities in Al Khawaneej for the past three weeks with their Brazilian coach putting them through a tough training regimen.
Now approaching the final week, Guga has lined up a few friendly matches in an attempt to best prepare the team and at the same time choose the 12 best players who will represent the country at the intercontinental competition. “Only the best 12 will be chosen. I am not going to announce the list of players any time soon,” Guga insisted.
“I want total commitment, and each and every player will be judged according to how he has performed throughout the training camp and the friendly matches,” he added.
On November 1, the five-day tournament will open with Tahiti playing Poland in the first match at 4.15 pm, followed by the UAE versus Brazil game at 5.30 pm. The third match will be between the USA and Iran at 6.45 pm followed by the fourth game between defending champions Russia and Egypt at 8 pm.
There will be four matches every day for the first three days followed by the semi-finals on November 4 and the third place play-off and final on November 5.
The UAE has already played a couple of friendly matches against Ajman-based Sport 4 All, winning the first one 7-3 and the second one 8-3. Their next assignment prior to the start of the tournament is friendly matches against Russia, Egypt and Hungary on October 27, 28 and 29 respectively.
“I have deliberately opted for tough friendly matches as I want the players to implement everything we have done during the camp,” Guga related.
“As a team we have set our goals and I am confident we can fulfil these goals,” he added.
FIXTURES
(November 1) 4.15 pm: Tahiti v Poland; 5.30 pm: UAE v Brazil; 6.45 pm: USA v Iran; 8 pm: Russia v Egypt
(November 2) 4.15 pm: UAE v Tahiti; 5.30 pm: Brazil v Poland; 6.45 pm: Egypt v Iran; 8 pm: Russia v USA
(November 3) 4.15 pm: USA v Egypt; 5.30 pm: Poland v UAE; 6.45 pm: Tahiti v Brazil; 8 pm: Iran v Russia
