Brazil and Egypt get off to winning start at beach soccer
Three-time defending champions get past plucky Spain in opener
Defending champions Brazil and Egypt got off to winning starts as the Huawei Intercontinental Beach Soccer Cup got under way at Kite Beach Jumeirah yesterday.
The three-time defending champions from South America banked on their superior experience to get past a plucky Spain 5-2 in the opener, while Egypt were off to a 3-1 win over hosts UAE in the second Group A match.
Champions in Dubai in 2014, 2016 and last year, Brazil were up against a young Spain that matched them and held them goalless for the first period. However, led by captain Bruno Xavier the Verde-Amarela, they gradually showed why they are the top-ranked team in the world. Xavier’s opening goal was cancelled out by Eduard Molina, only to see the South Americans 2-1 ahead off Luiz Alberto do Nascimento’s goal.
Llorenc Gomez Leon brought the teams on level terms with a ■ little over two minutes left in the second half. However, Rodrigo Da Costa ensured Brazil went in for the break with a 3-2 lead.
The multiple world champions proved their pedigree in the final period with Do Nascimento getting his second and captain Xavier completing his brace as Brazil eased through 5-2. “At no time [did we think] Spain would be easy. This was a game of patience and we are pleased with the way we’ve started,” Brazil coach Gilberto Da Costa told Gulf News.
“Though their defence was tough to get past, I was not worried simply because we have variety in our players,” he added.
In the second match of the evening, Egypt scored twice in the final period to walk away 3-1 winners against hosts UAE. The Egyptians scored in the very first second when Ahmad Al Shahat’s shot from the centre went past Mohammad Al Jasmi.
The hosts recovered well when Ali Mohammad volleyed home the equaliser. However, Haitam Masoub and Mohammad Abdel Nabi Hassan scored in quick succession in the final period to wrap up a good win.