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 Americas & Beyond | May 2008 
Dubai Showdown Under Way
 Beach Soccer Worldwide
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| | (Manuel Queimadelos) | | |
Dubai will be the host of next year’s FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup and wants to use the Dubai Qualifier to promote the 2009 Global Showpiece.
“If we’re be able to repeat last year’s success and create the same atmosphere around the event as we’ve had in the past, the people in Dubai and around the country will wait impatiently for the arrival of Beach Soccer’s most prestigious tournament”, said Dubai’s Sports Council General Secretary Dr. Ahmed Al Sharif at a press conference held today.
From May 6 to 10, Six Asian Nations will battle it out at the “Jumeirah Beach Park” for three berths to the global showpiece where 16 teams will try to take home the most prestigious trophy of the year. Eight countries have already qualified for the World Cup; Solomon Islands*, Cameroon, Senegal, Mexico, El Salvador, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay can already book their flights to the French Riviera after winning their respective qualifying tournament and join host France at the Marseille showdown.
Last year host UAE dominated the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Qualifier Dubai and get another chance to reach continental glory in front of their home crowd this year. “Playing at last year’s World Cup on “my” Copacabana Beach helped our team a big deal. We played games against strong Beach Soccer Nations like Argentina, France and Nigeria and got very close to beating them, realistically knowing that this was the best we could do. Now things are a bit different, my players are more experienced and their skills on the sand have improved and so have our working conditions. The UAE federation made an effort by contracting a physical trainer that is working with the team full-time and that reflects the support they’re giving us towards next year’s World Cup”, commented U.A.E. coach Marcelo Mendes.
Dubai welcomes two newcomers to the Asian Qualifier as Uzbekistan and the Philippines will participate for the first time. Uzbekistan coach Oleg Kaharov explained us how the former Soviets prepared for their debut at the continental showdown. “Several National competitions were organised which gave us the opportunity to make a selection of the best 12 Beach Soccer players in the country and artificial pitches were built to prepare for this occasion. It’s too early to make any predictions about how we’ll perform, but we’re prepared and ready to surprise.”
To realise the unthinkable Uzbekistan will have to get past host and defending champions U.A.E. in their opening game, to face China on Wednesday.
The Philippines were drawn into group B alongside Japan and Iran, two Nations that were able to clinch a World Cup berth on several occasions in the past. No walk in the park for the debutants, who might need a miracle to accomplish their ultimate dream.
* Every continent has to be represented at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. As there is no qualifying tournament for Oceania in 2008, the Solomon Islands are automatically qualified as winners of the two previous editions.
Match Schedule
Group A Group B
U.A.E. Japan
China Iran
Uzbekistan Philippines
Group Stage
Date Match Time (TBC) Teams
Tue 06.05.08 1 20:00 Philippines vs. Japan
2 Followed by Uzbekistan vs. .A.E
Wed 07.05.08 3 20:00 Iran vs. Filippines
4 Followed by China vs. Uzbekistan
Thu 08.05.08 5 20:00 Japan vs. Iran
6 Followed by U.A.E vs. China
Semi-finals *
Fri 09.05.08 7 (Semi-final 1) 20:00 1st of Group B vs. 2nd of Group A
8 (Semi-final 2) Followed by 1st of Group A vs. 2nd of B
* the order of Semi-finals and kick-off times may be altered by the Organizing Committee
Play-offs for third places and Final
Sat 10.05.08 12 (Play-off 3rd/4th) 20:00 Loser M7 vs. Loser M8
13 (Final) Followed by Winner M7 vs. Winner M8
 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2008
Follow the competition from Durban, to Puerto Vallarta, Buenos Aires, Dubai, and Benidorm on the road leading up to the final championship matches in Marseille, France, the host country for the 2008 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. |
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