MUSCAT, FEB 15
Oman will commence its campaign in the Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup 2024 with a tight clash against the world champions Brazil on Friday in Dubai.
The match will kick off at 9:00 pm (Oman time) at the Dubai Design District Stadium. The national team players, coached under Talib Hilal, will look for a strong start despite the difficulty of the encounter. Brazil includes Jenílson Brito Rodrigues better known as Mão who has the most Beach Soccer World Cup caps with 52 games followed by Portugal's João Victor Saraiva or Madjer with 49.
Oman were drawn in Group D alongside record five-time champions Brazil, Portugal, winners of 2015 and 2019, and Mexico. Oman will take on Mexico on Sunday at 5:00 pm. In the concluding match of the group stage, Oman will face former champions Portugal on Tuesday and the match will begin at 5:00 pm.
Oman heroes will aim for the first time to move into the second stage of the world class Beach Soccer event as the top two teams from each group will move to quarterfinals on February 22 while semifinals will take place on February 24. The third and fourth play-off and the final are scheduled for February 25.
The squad of Oman completed their preparations ahead of the major assignment. Oman team players arrived in Dubai one week ago and beat Belarus 7-3 in a friendly game. The Oman team's training this week was hit by heavy rains in Dubai. Coach Hilal focused in different attacking and defending areas and he instructed the players for a strong show especially in the opening matches as it will give the teams the head start to to advance into the quarters.
Oman was crowned as champions of the International beach soccer friendly tournament in Muscat after defeating Saudi Arabia 6-4 in the final clash one week ago. At the sands court in the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, the home team ended the friendly event on a shining note as they began its campaign in the three teams International beach soccer tourney with a 4-1 thumping of Egypt.
Exciting action
“The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup is always very exciting as it is FIFA’s highest scoring tournament on average, with over nine goals scored per game at the previous edition – so expect plenty of goalmouth action!,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on the occasion of the official opening of the Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup 2024 on Thursda.
“It is great to see this competition return to Dubai and I would like to thank the government, the United Arab Emirates Football Association – everyone who has played and will play a part in organising the tournament. The United Arab Emirates national team will be aiming to make an impression on their eighth appearance, adding to the rich tradition that Asia has in this tournament, with Japan being the last edition’s runners-up, and Iran having finished on the podium in 2017,” – FIFA chief said
The inaugural day of the Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup 2024 witnessed few thrilling encounters as Italy edged the US 3-1 in the opening match from Group A which also comprises the UAE and Egypt.
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