UAE beat USA to finish seventh

Denzil Pinto 20:17 05/11/2016
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  • Guga’s adopted nation on Saturday night salvaged some pride from an awful sixth edition at Dubai International Marine Club, braces from veteran skipper Ali Karim and defender Waleed Bishr in a 4-3 win against United States avoiding an embarrassing last-placed result. Yet this represented one spot less than 2014’s sixth, with a team low on experience conceding 30 goals in five matches.

    A meeting between Henrique – who has consistently expressed frustration this week – and the UAE Football Association is scheduled for today to discuss the way forward, with February’s Asian qualifiers for the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup the next major event.

    “So far we do not know about the plan,” said the Brazilian, who began the job in May 2014 and whose contract expires in February. “Everything in life you have to plan and do it.

    “I am sure UAE will be one of the best teams in Asia. 2017 will be the year of UAE beach soccer, with me or with not.

    “I think we opened eyes. For so many people, they had closed eyes.

    “This is the legacy of what we bring from this tournament.

    “It is time to sit with the people in the UAE Football Association and plan, then prove they will do it.

    “If no, we have to discuss. Tomorrow, I go the association and speak to my director.”

    The UAE – who are ranked 13th in the world – opened this year’s event with an 11-1 loss to eventual champions Brazil and finished bottom of Group A.

    In the build-up, they won May’s Arab Beach Soccer Championship for the first time and were knocked out of the Fifth Asian Beach Games at the quarter-final stage by gold-medallists Japan on September 29.

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