Official training ends in Santos, with Italy and Mexico to contest the opener.
The final few tasks are complete at the beach soccer stadium on Santos beach, as Brazil, Italy, Japan and Mexico completed their last training sessions on Thursday, a day before the competition begins.
Everything is now ready for the maiden Supercopa das Naçoes de Beach Soccer, which will kick off on Friday with four of the best sides in the world locking horns.
Italy and Mexico will compete in the opening match, with the Azzurri having achieved their primary objective for the year by qualifying for the the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017.
But Massimo Agostini’s men will try their best to go all the way here in Santos, as claiming the Supercopa das Naçoes would add huge international prestige to what has been a terrific season so far.
Mexico, in turn, are in a pivotal moment of their season, four months away from the qualifier in CONCACAF, and they know they could scarcely have hoped for a better test as part of their qualification preparations.
Brazil will take on Asian powerhouses Japan in the second match of the opening day.
The Gilberto-steered side know that the Samurais are a very dangerous team, and if the hosts fail to perform at their very best, Marcelo Mendes’ men will fancy their chances of causing a big upset.
“Japan are a skilful team, very intense physically, and with an excellent goalkeeper. They like to play fast, just like us, and they have Ozu as their main balance point,” Brazil forward Bokinha analysed.
Results and match schedule for the Supercopa das Naçoes are available at www.beachsoccer.com.
