Usual suspects pick up early wins in Dubai

The opening day was one of few surprises at the Huawei Intercontinental Beach Soccer Cup.

Holders Brazil, as well as Portugal, Iran and Russia, were winners on day one of the Huawei Intercontinental Beach Soccer Cup in Dubai.

The defending champions got their defence up and running with an 11-3 win against Group A rivals Egypt.

In the competition’s new venue at Marasi Business Bay, Egypt made the champions work hard at first and trailed by just a goal going into the last period.

However, hat-trick heroes Rodrigo and Datinha helped seal the points, while a similarly masterful display from two-goal captain Bruno Xavier settled any initial Brazil nerves.

The UAE then came within a whisker of upsetting former world champions Portugal on Tuesday as the hosts fell to a 5-4.

Portugal ended the UAE’s FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup campaign with a dramatic 2-1 win back in May and it must have felt like deja vu for Mohamed Al Mazmi’s men, who levelled at 4-4 with just over two minutes left on the clock.

But former Al Ahli man Madjer and four-goal Jordan Santos struck late to deny the hosts on coach Al Mazmi’s birthday.

European champions Russia kicked off their bid for a fourth Huawei Intercontinental Beach Soccer Cup with an impressive 6-2 win against Mexico in Group B.

Ramon Raya’s side arrived in Dubai off the back of success at the Visit Puerto Vallarta Cup but came unstuck against a confident Russia outfit, who claimed early momentum in Group B along with Iran.

Marco Octavio’s latest reign in charge of Asia’s highest ranked nation began with a hard-fought 5-2 win against Paraguay.

Last year’s runners-up join Russia on three points after day one of the competition as late goals from Moslem Mesigar and Mohammad Ahmadzadeh helped seal the points against a stubborn Paraguay team coached by former UAE boss Gustavo ‘Guga’ Zloccowick.

Tuesday results

Egypt 3-11 Brazil

Portugal 6-4 UAE

Russia 6-2 Mexico

Iran 5-2 Paraguay

Wednesday fixtures

16:15 – UAE v Egypt

17:30 – Brazil v Portugal

18:45 – Paraguay v Russia

20:00 – Mexico v Iran