Dubai is beach soccer’s preferred home and will host not only the Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup, but also the III FIFA Beach Soccer Workshop and the first ever Beach Soccer Stars awards night.
Thanks to the support, trust and vision of the Dubai Sports Council, a 10-year-relationship has seen the sport grow from friendly events to hosting the continental qualifiers for the World Cup.
The partnership flourished five years ago with the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Dubai 2009, an event that will not be easily forgotten as it formed a unique bond between beach soccer and Dubai.
Joan Cusco, Executive Vice President and member of the FIFA Beach Soccer Committee said: “Few places embody the spirit of beach soccer better than Dubai. This trendy, young, vivid, international city is the perfect home.
“The support we have received from the Dubai Sports Council, for which I cannot thank them enough, and from the people of Dubai, makes it clear that we have a bright future together. With all the things that Dubai offers, we cannot help wanting to come here year after year.”
The Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup is second only to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. It brings together the best teams from each continent, including 2013 winners Iran. Last year they pulled off a sensational triumph, beating favourites Russia, who had just been crowned World Cup champions, in an exciting final.
By winning the title the Princes of Persia proved that the Asian teams were ready to challenge the biggest sides in the world, something the UAE national team further confirmed by clinching third place.
The Iranians have prepared for this year’s tournament, which starts on Tuesday at Dubai’s International Marine Club, by undergoing a demanding training programme, including a camp in Brazil.
Skipper Ali Naderi said: “We know the challenge ahead is really big, and we have been training really hard. Besides the Iran National League, we have had several training camps, including 18 days in Brazil, where we also played some friendlies against local clubs.
“Winning the Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup meant a lot to us, because it gave us the opportunity to show the world how much our beach soccer is growing, and we were really proud to put the Asian beach soccer in such a high position.”
Naderi believes his players have earned the respect of rival teams adding:
“I wouldn’t say the teams fear us now. There is no fear in sport, but I think that we earned the respect from everyone. Our opponents know now what we are capable of, and they have it in mind when they come onto the pitch to face us”.
“We have very good memories of last year, but if I had to choose one, I would choose the final against Russia. Having the chance to play such a match, and seeing the thousands of Iran fans giving us strength from the stands was a unique sensation.”
UAE TEAM PROFILE
A new coach, renewed energy, and lofty expectations have the hosts in a great position to make some noise at this year’s Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup Dubai 2014, as they will be seeking to parallel, or even improve, last year’s third place.
The man filling the big shoes left by former coach Marcelo Mendes, is Gustavo Zloccowicz, more commonly known as Guga. The Emiratis are always a tough opponent and with the infusion of newer and younger players it is clear that they are not leaving the pantheon of Asian beach soccer greats any time soon.
Recent History:
► Winner: FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup – Asia Qualifier 2008, 2009
► 3rd place: Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup Dubai 2013
► Coach: Gustavo ‘Guga’ Zloccowicz
Team: Mohamed Abdulla, Abbas Ali Naseri D., Ahmed Beshr M., Waleed Beshr M., Kamal Ali Sulaiman, Hasan Ali Saeed, Ali Mohammad M., Ali Hassan Karim Dad, Walid Mohammad, Adel Ali Rahu R., Humaid Jamal S., Mohamed Muftah
