A spectacular city of contrasts on the Persian Gulf where east meets west, Dubai has grown exponentially over the last few years. Its sandy beaches have become one of its many tourist attractions, while its deserts stretch out infinitely in the background. It is truly a city where there is sand at every turn. And with the sand, the people of Dubai have worked wonders, constructing an artificial archipelago off the coast in the shape of a palm tree, for example. So it comes as no surprise that Dubai has been chosen to host some major sporting events.

From 16-22 November, Jumeirah Beach will be the setting for the fifth FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. Brazil have won this annual tournament every year since 2006, and in Dubai, will be looking for their fourth consecutive title. Of the four previous beach soccer tournaments organised by FIFA, the Auriverde have only failed to win one – the inaugural edition, which was claimed by France. But Les Bleus will not stand in their way this time around, having failed to qualify. In fact, the Canarinha have not been beaten in the competition since their semi-final defeat to Portugal in 2005, where they lost on penalties after a 6-6 draw. Portugal are thus the only team to have prevailed against Brazil in the history of the tournament. Much of the credit for the Europeans’ record at the event must go to coach Jose Mateus, who has overseen more matches than anyone else in the competition’s history. Mateus has coached Portugal every year since the tournament started – a total of 21 matches, including the biggest-ever win, a 14-2 defeat of Solomon Islands.

Six teams have appeared in every edition of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup: Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Japan, Portugal and Spain. And Brazilians Julio Negao and Benjamin hold the record for games played, each with 23. Hot on the heels of the veteran pair are Portuguese talents Madjer and Alan, each with 21 tournament appearances under their belts. The pair are also the tournament’s top two scorers to date. Alan has netted 26 times (joint-second along with Brazilians Benjamin and Bruno), but will have to score a hatful in Dubai to get close to Madjer, who has been on target a staggering 54 times. But it is not just Brazil and Portugal who can find the net. Spain will also want to leave their mark in Dubai, and none more so than Amarelle and Nico, the only La Roja players to have scored in all previous tournaments. Costa Rica, Switzerland and Côte d’Ivoire are the debutants this year, while UAE, though they qualified automatically as hosts, can be expected to provide stiff opposition, having twice been crowned champions of Asia. UAE also showed their potential in friendlies this year against Japan and Bahrain, Asia’s two other representatives in Dubai, winning 4-2 and 4-1 respectively.

Seven days of drama and action lie ahead, as the 16 finalists prepare to contest 32 games in search of beach soccer’s biggest prize. Will Brazil once again shine brightest, or will they finally be dethroned? All will be revealed on 22 November.

The excitement was palpable as the opening press conference of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Dubai 2009 got underway in the shadow of an impressive, purpose-built beach soccer stadium that can accommodate nearly 6,000 spectators including 600 VIPs.

Joan Cusco, FIFA Futsal and Beach Soccer Committee (On the show that is to come)

The stadium is a fantastic venue. All the teams have arrived. They are all ready, they have all trained. We have prepared everything to make (this event) very successful. The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup will be a great success in Dubai. The LOC has done a fantastic job. The facilities that we have here, we have never had before. The people who are here – all the players that will be playing – they are extremely good players with amazing skills. Now, the players that we have, they are professional players training in beach soccer all year long. And they are ready to put on the best show ever seen in this sport. This is what makes me confident of what will happen here as of tomorrow: the best beach soccer event ever.

Yussuf Mohamad Abdullah, UAE Football Association General Secretary (On the Dubai Sports Council and FIFA)

On behalf of the UAE Football Association, we welcome everybody to this tournament. To host this event, to host a (FIFA) World Cup means that FIFA and the world trust us and know the level of hosting here. Thank you to his highness, the Crown Prince of Dubai and chairman of Dubai Sports Council Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his support of sports in general, this sport in particular and all the efforts to increase the popularity of this tournament. We all (continue to) work together to improve this sport, to make it a popular sport throughout the UAE. A special thank you to the Dubai Sports Council and FIFA for their trust and thank you to everybody, especially the spectators, who support this event.

Salah Tahlak, LOC Tournament Director (On the collaborative effort that hosting entails)

Most welcome to Dubai and to the UAE. I hope that you will enjoy the hospitality of the tournament and the hospitality of the UAE. We are very blessed by the visit of his highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai and the chairman of the Dubai Sports Council yesterday. He was very pleased and he asked me to extend his warm welcome to everyone – the players, officials, supporters and journalists who came from all over the world to be here in Dubai. I am also very pleased that this tournament is going to be viewed by more than 150 countries worldwide.

Two years ago when this event was given to Dubai, we were very pleased, but we were also under pressure. But when we make a commitment, we have to deliver. I think we have delivered. Of course, this is with the support of the football federation, the Dubai Sports Council and especially our LOC members. They have done a great job. I would like to also wish my best to the UAE team, especially our captain, and a special thanks to coach Marcelo Mendes. I wish you guys all the best and that this tournament is going to be something special for the UAE and Dubai especially. I want everyone here from all over the world to enjoy the tournament, enjoy Dubai and enjoy the UAE.

Dr. Khalid Al Zahed, LOC Deputy Tournament Director (On the ease of getting to the competition)

I would like to thank the local press and the international press for giving very special support to this event. I want to ensure that everyone knows that there are 2,000 parking places beside Jumeirah Beach Park where (those interested in watching the games) can park their car, take the water bus; it is as smooth as possible. In twenty minutes you will be in the middle of the stadiums, here at the center of the event. Taking the water transport is the easiest way to get here. You just park your car in the huge parking area and come to the event. You have 2,000 parking slots that are just opposite the Dubai Police College and there are free shuttle busses that will bring you to the stadium – and it is all for free. Even riding the water busses is free and the first few days of the event are free. These are things that the LOC and FIFA decided to do to help make it easy for people to get to this great event. Join us.

The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Dubai 2009 kicks off on Monday with a mouthwatering line-up of matches. This year’s competition has a new format, as the group stage will be fully completed in the first three days, meaning that each team will play one match per day. So, by Monday, we will have seen all 16 teams in action. For the first time at this event, the stadium will be accessible by sea, but if you cannot climb aboard one of the free boats to see the games for yourself, just navigate FIFA.com for all the latest news.

Game of the day

Argentina-Italy (13:30 local time)

Two ever-presents at the tournament since its inception in 2005 collide as Argentina, who have yet to progress beyond the quarter-finals, take on last-year’s runners-up Italy, who qualified for Dubai at the expense of 2005 world champions France. With expectations high in both camps, both the Albicelestes and Azzurri will want to get off to the best possible start, so a hard-fought game is in prospect. The only previous meeting between the pair ended with the South Americans coming out on top via a 3-1 win in Rio de Janeiro in 2006.

Other matches

In their opening match, hosts UAE will come up against tournament heavyweights Portugal, who have players like Alan, Belchior and the highest scorer in the tournament’s history, Madjer. The Asians, who are coached by Brazilian Marcelo Mendes, will thus have a hard day’s work before them if they hope to claim a win in front of their home fans. Meanwhile, Brazil will begin the defence of the title, which they have won for the past three years, against African champions Nigeria, led by forward Isiaka Olawale. The Brazilians have never been beaten in their opening match. Asian champions Japan will also have a tough opener as they come up against European stalwarts Spain, who have in their ranks goalkeeper Roberto Valeiro, adidas Golden Glove winner at Marseille 2008. Furthermore, despite six previous attempts, the Samurai Blue have never beaten a European side in the competition.

Many are tipping Russia as the dark horses in Dubai. The Europeans have improved immeasurably, and will be formidable opposition for debutants Costa Rica. Fellow newcomers Côte d’Ivoire will have a less daunting opener against CONCACAF champions El Salvador, who will be seeking a vast improvement on the three defeats they suffered in their first-ever appearance last year. Just as in 2006, Bahrain will open against a European side, in this case tournament newcomers Switzerland.

Player to watch

The Brazilian Benjamin, playing his fifth tournament, will be the oldest player taking part at 40 years and six months. In Brazil’s opener, he will face the competition’s youngest player, Nigerian Azeez Abu, 25 years his junior at just 15 and a half, as youth and experience go head-to-head.

The stats

96.16% – Brazil’s astounding winning percentage in all their FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup qualifiers and tournament matches since 2005. The Seleção have won their last 35 competitive games, a figure that rises to an incredible 75 if all tournaments are included.

The quote

“We want to get off to the best possible start, and we know it’ll be tough against the hosts. They’re physically strong, very well organised, and more used to the conditions. Also, they’ll have the support of all the home fans. It’s not an easy group, so for now we’ll take it one game at a time with the aim of going as far as possible.” Jose Mateus, Portugal coach

What’s next (local time):

13:30 – Switzerland-Bahrain

13:30 – Uruguay-Solomon Islands

15:00 – Argentina-Italy

15:00 – Côte d’Ivoire-El Salvador

16:30 – Russia-Costa Rica

18:00 – Spain-Japan

19:30 – UAE -Portugal

21:30 – Brazil-Nigeria

published @ FIFA