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Oman took on hosts the UAE at the Al-Mamzar Park beach in two friendly matches on October 25th and 26th
The Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup Dubai 2014 is rapidly approaching and the National Selection of the UAE successfully started their tune-ups, three more are scheduled for this week, against a fierce Oman side. The Falcons defended their field and came away with two hard-fought victories, as they needed extra time to win the first match and then needed penalties to hold off the determined Red Warriors.
Things did not start well for the Emirati as they opened the first match, on Saturday, by conceding three first period goals and only getting one back. Everything changed in the middle frame as Hussein Hilal scored his second and third goals of the match to take the one goal lead. The UAE turned their defense into a brick wall as well, shutting out Oman in the period. When things looked bleakest for the visitors, down one goal in the final period, and with no momentum, they came up big and scored the equalizer sending the match into overtime. The rapid-fire extra time was won by The White though, giving them the 5-4 victory.
If you had predicted that matters could not have gotten more exciting after the first match, you would have been dead wrong. The UAE followed up their overtime victory with a 4(3)-4(1) penalties victory on Sunday. The opening of the second match was a stark contrast to how their first match began, this time around the hosts started fast, taking a quick two goal lead before ending the period up 3-2. Then the two sides exchanged second period goals, leaving the UAE up 4-3 heading into the final frame. As if they possess a clutch gene that others have not developed, Oman, like they did in the first friendly, scored the only goal in the third period which tied the game at 4, putting the match into overtime. The two teams were relentless in the extra frame but could not find the fifth and final goal, however the UAE triumphed on the penalty kicks, scoring on all three of their attempts, while limiting their rivals to only one connection.
All indicators point to a prepped and eager UAE side for the upcoming Cup but they are being diligent in their preparation and will next face Azerbaijan on Tuesday the 28th. Following that, they will take on Hungary on Thursday the 30th, and finally, they will wrap up their international friendlies against Russia on Saturday, November 1st. All matches will be played at the Al-Mamzar Park beach, which has already proven to be a great home field advantage. The Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup will then officially begin on the 4th of November, with the UAE in a group with Iran, Morocco, and Portugal. The other group will include Brazil, Japan, Russia, and the USA.
