The UAE is buzzing with excitement as the eve of the Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup Dubai 2014 is here
Teams are set, the draw is complete, and the National Teams from the UAE, Iran, Morocco, Portugal, Brazil, Japan, Russia and the USA have all arrived and trained on the sand. Players, coaches, and officials have all been looking forward to this yearly event as it is one of the most respected and prestigious beach soccer tournaments. The Intercontinental Cup gathers the best teams from all over the globe and the competition is always fierce with some unpredictable finishes, last year Iran upset FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Champion Russia in the final. This years’ event will last from November 4th-8th.
Everything is ready, and the eight teams begin tomorrow a ferocious fight for one of the most prized cups in the Beach Soccer panorama. Iran, defending champions, will play under extra pressure, with the likes of World Cup Champions Russia, Brazil, Portugal, CONCACAF kings USA or hosts UAE willing not to let the Persian side retain the cup. Morocco will be happy to play the role of the underdogs, and will for sure cause one or two upsets… or maybe even more.
This year there is even more energy and a bigger level of excitement due in part to the further development of Dubai as one of the worlds’ dream beach soccer destinations , but also because of the III FIFA Beach Soccer Workshop and the first ever Beach Soccer Stars event. Beach Soccer Stars 2014 marks the premier of what will be an end of the year celebration for many years to come. The dinner and celebration will include the “best of” trophies being handed to the winning parties, voted on by players, coaches, officials, and fans. The list of categories goes as follows: Best Goal, Coach of the Year, Best Goalkeeper, Best Player, Rising Star, and 5 Stars (the first team selection of 5 starters on the sand).
Remember the schedule for the first matchday of the Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup Dubai 2014:
Tuesday 04.11.14
16:15 – USA vs. Brazil (Group B)
17:30 – Russia vs. Japan (Group B)
18:45 – UAE vs. Morocco (Group A)
20:00 – Iran vs. Portugal (Group A)
