Holders Brazil march on
dubai — Defending champions Brazil sent an ominous warning to the rest of the field by making it two wins out of two in the Huawei Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup.
In what was a tussle between the world’s top two sides, two-time champions Brazil put Portugal to the sand with a 4-1 victory at the specially-constructed venue at Marasi, Business Bay, on Wednesday.
Forward Rodrigo Soares Da Costa scored a brace as the ‘Canarinha,’ topped Group A with six points.
World champions Brazil’s unbeaten streak moved to 44 matches, a run stretching back to two years.
Earlier, it was heartbreak for the hosts UAE yet again with ‘Al Abyad’ going agonisingly close for the second time running before losing out.
After running Portugal close on the first day, Mohamed Al Maazmi’s men went down to Egypt 4-3, in another Group A fixture, after being locked 3-3 in the third period.
In Group B matches, three-time champions Russia had to dig deep against Paraguay 2-1, while Iran got past Mexico 4-1. Russia and Iran both made it two wins from two.
After a cautious start, Rodrigo gave Brazil the lead with five and half minutes left in the first period. Jordan Santos, Portugal’s hero in the game against the UAE, came close to equalising with four minutes left. But had it not been a deflection off goalkeeper Jenilson Brito Rodrigues leg, it would have gone in.
Brazil added cushion to their lead in the second period with Rafael Antonio De Jesus (Bokinha) unleashing a brilliant shot from the right, into the far corner of the net.
Portugal’s Madjer reduced the margin moments later but Fernando Luiz De Oliveira nudged Brazil further ahead. Rodrigo then wrapped things up with the fourth, with 45 seconds left in the second period.
The third period was goalless but Brazil had put it to bed by then.
“It was a good game but we were very good today,” Brazil captain Bruno Xavier said. Xavier reckoned there are three teams who are very strong.
Meanwhile, Portugal captain Madjer said: “It is difficult to play against the world champions. We missed a lot of chances.”
Meanwhile, UAE coach Al Maazmi said that they were a bit under prepared for the tourna- ment. “We did not have good preparations. It was a good game but we made some defensive mistakes,” said Al Maazmi.
The UAE face Brazil on Thursday and Al Maazmi said that they will go for broke. “We have nothing to lose and we will go out there and give it all we got,” he added.
Egyptian captain Mohamed Gamal said that they came up against a very strong UAE team. “We played against a very good team and we respect them. We have a tough challenge against Portugal tomorrow (Thursday),” Gamal said.