Beach Soccer Tourney: Nigeria Draws Brazil, Japan, Switzerland

Nigeria has been drawn alongside Brazil, Japan and
Switzerland in Group B of the 2nd Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup,
scheduled for Dubai in October, an official said yesterday in Abuja.

The General Secretary, Nigeria Football Association (NFA),
Musa Amadu, told newsmen that the competition’s official draw was held on
Tuesday at Dubai’s Festival City Mall.

“The eight teams were split into two groups of four each,
with hosts UAE in Group A, alongside world champions Russia, Oceania Kings,
Tahiti, and the CONCACAF representatives, the US.

“Group B which has Nigeria, also has CONMEBOL champions
Brazil, Euro Beach Soccer League champions Switzerland, and Asian crown-holders
Japan,” he said.

The NFA general secretary said Nigeria’s beach soccer team,
the SuperSand Eagles, were already being prepared to perform creditably at the
competition.

“We have already started preparing our team for the event by
camping the players and officials in Badagry.

“Our aim is for the team to qualify for the semi-finals and
then the final, because we know they can do it and it will also help them
prepare for the Copa Lagos tournament, scheduled for December,” he said.

The Dubai competition will hold from October 30 to November
3, with eight teams participating, with the first round in a round-robin
format.

The best two teams in each group will then proceed to the
semi-finals.

The draw ceremony was conducted by General Secretary of the
Dubai Sports Council, Dr Ahmed Al Sharif.

It also had in attendance Joan Cuscó, Vice-President of
Beach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW) and Michel Salgado, FIFA Futsal and Beach Soccer
Committee member and a former Real Madrid defender.