UAE handed fearsome draw for beach soccer World Cup in Rio

Dubai: While the UAE were celebrating having secured the right to host the 2009 Beach Soccer World Cup on Sunday, they were swiftly brought down to earth with the prospect of facing 2005 champions France in their opening game of this year's competition in Rio.

It will be quite a test for the Asian champions who have been drawn in what must surely be the toughest group of the event.

Apart from France (who along with Portugal are the only team to have wrested the title away from the mighty Brazilians in the last 12 years), the UAE will also face Argentina, who finished third in 2001, and African champions Nigeria in the group stages.

The UAE's game against France will take place on November 3 with their Argentina clash on November 5 and the game against Nigeria on November 7.

"The draw has revealed the true shape of the competition and the real drama can now begin with the preparations of the 16 teams who will be competing," said Fifa General Secretary Jérôme Valcke.

"This year's qualifiers include four teams who have not featured before such as Mexico, Russia, Senegal and the UAE, and they will be hungry for success.

"What we have seen so far in the qualifiers promises, once again, some superb action," added Valcke, who conducted the draw with 1998 Fifa World Cup winner Christian Karembeu.