Betinho, who was part of the team that clinched the first ever Mundialito, is happy to be back at the competition coaching his boyhood club
Despite all the difficult conditions and the restrictions, this will be a very special Mundialito for Vasco da Gama. The Carioca, the first-ever champions of the competition, will return to the event after some years of absence.
“We are very happy to take part in the Mundialito again. We are very determined to show our highest level, and we have been training hard to get to the competition in the best condition“, said Roberto Luis de Araujo, Betinho, the Vascaino coach.
“The Mundialito is without a doubt one of the most important beach soccer competitions in the world. An event with the best clubs and best players on the planet.”, he added.
For Betinho, who was himself a part of that Vasco da Gama that clinched the maiden edition of the Mundialito de Clubes in Guarapiranga (Sao Paulo) in 2011, it would mean a lot to win the competition again, this time as a coach.
“For us, it is a great opportunity to try and snatch a second crown, which would be a great honour. This is what this club plays for: to win titles. This is what we always fight for. Playing for Vasco is a big responsibility, and we want to meet the expectations of the club. I was lucky enough to be a part of the team that won in 2011, and I dream with winning it as a coach now, and to keep contributing to the history of the club.”
That 2011 Vasco da Gama team had some very young but very talented players that find themselves amongst the most well-known players on the beach soccer stage, and are still part of the team, including the likes of Mauricinho, Bokinha and Catarino.
Will they also seal Vasco’s second Mundialito?
