The former Selecao full-back discusses life on the sand with ASD Terracina
After a 16-year career in senior, top-class football with teams such as Lazio and Inter, Brazilian defender Cesar Aparecido is getting to grips with beach soccer following his debut with ASD Terracina.
Cesar followed the well-trodden path from professional football to beach soccer when he helped his side to seventh place in the Euro Winners Cup last month before also taking part in the Coppa Italia with the Puntini.
Terracina finished seventh in the Coppa last weekend, with the ex-Brazil international joining the likes of former Inter team-mate Recoba, Eric Cantona and Jan Koller in swapping grass for sand over recent years.
After his first few matches with Terracina, he revealed to beachsoccer.com how he has found the transition and what he believes is key to being a success in the sport.
“It is an awesome experience and very rewarding because you are in contact with the ball all the time and the surface makes the game very special,” the 41-year-old explained.
“The most important aspect to succeed in a beach soccer match is mentality and concentration. Technique comes after.
“Of course technique and ability are key in beach soccer but the first thing is to be mentally focused, self-confident and with all your senses ready, because the sport is highly demanding.
“The sand and the ball speed make things unpredictable when you are playing, so you have to be fully focused at all moments. You just cannot afford to lose concentration. You have to be ready.”
One of Cesar’s best attributes during a lengthy football career was his stamina and ability to get up and down the wing throughout games, although he has been taken aback at the fitness of some of his team-mates and opponents.
Asked about how physically demanding beach soccer can be, he added: “I used to run, non-stop, sometimes for 120 minutes on the grass.
“But running on the sand is just another thing completely. I cannot believe some of these guys run for 20 to 25 minutes on the sand. It’s crazy!”
Cesar’s impressive transition to beach soccer has not been lost on his team-mates or on coach Angelo D’Amico, who has been able to call on the Brazilian’s experience and quality over the two competitions.
“Having the chance to coach a player like him is a great honour for me,” said D’Amico.
“He is such a humble and hard-working guy. A huge professional. He has given a lot to the team, especially with his mentality and his work ethic, and he always knows what to say to help his teammates.”
