Brazil dished out another punishing defeat for the UAE at the Huawei Intercontinental Beach Soccer Cup on Thursday, sealing their Group A campaign with a 15-4 win.
Gilberto Costa’s men will head into the semi-finals full of confidence after setting a new record for goals in a single match at the competition, with four-goal Ze Lucas among the key players in a one-sided contest.
The UAE – beaten 11-1 by Brazil in 2016 – will hope to recover quickly for their fifth-place play-off quest tomorrow and Saturday.
Having fallen behind to Haitham Alkaabi, Brazil responded in clinical fashion as Bruno Xavier’s brace, coupled with further first-period goals from Fernando DDI and Lucao helped put the world champions in control
Ahmed Beshr did reduce the deficit but the Verdeamarela dominance continued in the second frame as Mauricinho and Rodrigo joined the party.
A smart close-range finish ensured Lucao his second of the game before goalkeeper Rafa Padilha beat opposite number Humaid Jamal as the UAE struggled to deal with their opponents’ all-round threat.
Ze Lucas’ second took Brazil into double figures, with Waleed Beshr’s penalty reducing the deficit slightly before the interval.
Ze Lucas was the man at the heart of things for Brazil
However, momentum quickly swung back in Brazil’s direction, Rodrigo cooly slotting underneath Mohamed Aljasmi before captain Bruno Xavier’s free-kick saw his side become the first nation to score 12 goals in a game in the competition’s history.
A. Beshr pulled another back for the UAE, but Ze Lucas added two more before Bruno Xavier completed the scoring with a calm finish in what as an utterly dominant win ahead of Friday’s semi-finals.
Goals: 1-0: Haitham, min. 10 (1); 1-1: Bruno Xavier, min. 10 (1); 1-2: Ze Lucas, min. 5 (1); 1-3: Bruno Xavier, min. 3 (1); 2-3: A. Beshr, min. 2 (1); 2-4: Fernando DDI, min. 1 (1); 2-5: Lucao, min. 0 (1); 2-6: Mauricinho, min. 10 (2); 2-7: Rodrigo, min. 8 (2); 2-8: Lucao, min. 6 (2); 2-9: Rafa Padilha, min. 4 (2); 2-10: Ze Lucas, min. 1 (2); 3-10: W. Beshr, min. 0 (2); 3-11: Rodrigo, min. 10 (3); 3-12: Bruno Xavier, min. 8 (3); 4-12: A. Beshr, min. 5 (3); 4-13: Ze Lucas, min. 5 (3); 4-14: Ze Lucas, min. 4 (3); 4-15: Bruno Xavier, min. 3 (3)
Huawei Intercontinental Beach Soccer Cup 2017
Thursday 01.11.17
16:15 – Mexico 4-5 Paraguay
17:30 – Egypt (1) 6-6 (3) Portugal
18:45 – UAE 4-15 Brazil
20:00 – Iran v Russia
Friday 02.11.17
16:15 – Egypt v Mexico (Fifth-place play-off)
17:30 – Paraguay v UAE (Fifth-place play-off)
18:45 – Semi-finals (TBC)
20:00 – Semi-finals (TBC)