STORE 
MY BEACH SOCCER 
Their near-miss in Malaysia was enough to put them back in the world’s top 10.
A runners-up finish at the AFC Beach Soccer Championship, a ticket to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup and now Movers of the Month for March… it’s been quite the month for UAE and their new coach Mohammad Abbas.
Abbas’ men were beaten by champions Iran in the Kuala Terengganu finale in early March but had already done enough to book a return to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, having missed out in 2015.
Following qualification, UAE also beat Hungary in two preparation friendlies, the Europeans jumping a place to 22nd despite the losses.
But the UAE will now head to Nassau back among Beach Soccer Worldwide’s top 10, rising nine places as a result of their campaign in Malaysia, and now sitting just a place behind Group C rivals Paraguay.
Coached by former UAE boss Gustavo ‘Guga’ Zloccowick, Paraguay drop one place to ninth while Japan replace them in eighth after finishing third at the AFC qualifier.
The remainder of the top 10 is unchanged, world champions Portugal continuing to lead the way, while Asian champions Iran strengthen their grip on fifth spot.
Lebanon jump nine places to 20th after reaching the AFC semi-finals while hosts Malaysia move all the way from 97th to 72nd after picking up points with a win over China on home sand.
