The UAE beach soccer team put up a brave fight against world champions Brazil at the BSWW (Beach Soccer Worldwide) mini World Cup in Portugal yesterday, losing 7-3 in a game head coach Marcelo Mendes said did not reflect the final score. "We played very well in the first two periods," commented Mendes talking from Portugal. "The second period finished 2-2, then in the first two minutes of the third period we lost our concentration and Brazil scored twice."
UAE players Mohammed Abbas, Albalooshi Ibrahim and Sadeqi Qambar all got their names on the scoresheet, with the team showing more firepower against the world champions than in the 3-1 defeat against hosts Portugal on Friday. "The final score does not reflect how we played," continued Mendes. "If we can play the same way against Spain we could do very well." UAE face the European side today in their final match of the three-day tournament.
Dubai will play host to the Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup later this year and Mendes is confident the experience in Portugal will stand the UAE in good stead ahead of the championship which starts on November 16. "This tournament is very tough. Brazil, Portugal and Spain are three of the best teams in the world," said Mendes. "Our focus is on the World Cup. "This tournament is important experience for us ahead of the World Cup. We cannot make the same mistakes then."
The draw for the 2009 Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup will take place in Dubai on August 27, 2009. @Email:sports@thenational.ae
