Switzerland face Mexico in Samsung Intercontinental Cup opener

Switzerland will face Mexico in the opening match of the Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup 2013 at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) complex at 4.15 pm on November 19.

Hosting eight of the best beach soccer teams from across the world, the annual Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup will see the teams divided into two groups of four.

Dubai has been a lucky hunting ground for Switzerland after they finished runners-up to Russia at the 2009 Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup at the Umm Suqueim Beach.

In other matches on the opening day, defending World Champions Russia will play Asian champions Iran, Italy will take on former multiple World Champions Brazil and hosts UAE will take on debutants Morocco.

The preliminary round matches will be held on the first three days with the best two from each group advancing to the semi-finals, while the others will continue playing for placings.

This is the third time that the UAE is hosting this prestigious competition that brings together the best teams from across the globe.

In Group A the hosts will be joined by Morocco, Switzerland and Mexico, while Group B will consist of Russia, Iran, Brazil and Italy.

The UAE featured in a disappointing Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup in September this year as they lost all three matches in the preliminary rounds in Tahiti.

However, the team being coached by Brazilian Marcelo Mendes will be trying to make amends for this before their home crowd when competition kicks off on November 19.
 
“The push is now towards a stronger and solid national squad with an eye on the future. Our team has put in a lot of effort in cancelling out the mistakes of the past and hopefully the home ground advantage should prove to be helpful,” noted Dr. Ahmed Al Sharif, Secretary-General of organiSers Dubai Sports Council.

On the second day, the UAE will play against Mexico and then wrap up their group matches on November 21 with their last Group A match against Switzerland.

“As in the past two years, this time too there are quality teams like world champions Russia, Switzerland and former champions Brazil in this competition. I am sure this will be a huge test for our national team to go out there and prove what they are capable of,” Dr. Ahmed hoped.

The Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup 2013 is being organised with cooperation from Fifa under the auspices of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council.

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