The UAE face debutants Kyrgyzstan on Thursday when they kick-off attempts to go one better and claim the AFC Beach Soccer Championship 2019.

Mohamed Al Maazmi’s men wowed in 2017, enjoying an unexpected run to the final – where they lost 7-2 against hot-favourites Iran – and earning a return to that year’s Beach Soccer World Cup after missing out in 2013.

Asia’s finest are now congregated in Pattaya, Thailand, from March 7-17. The Whites have been drawn in Group B, where they’ll also meet China and Lebanon.

“I respect all the teams in this tournament and I think there is no weak team,” Al Maazmi said.

“Kyrgyz Republic are participating for the first time in the AFC Beach Soccer Championship. I respect this team and I think all the teams are here to be competitive.”

A trip into the unknown awaits for the UAE against opponents whose preparations included battling sub-zero temperatures.

“Our country is very cold in winter, and it is very difficult to prepare the players,” explained boss Muktarbek Orozbakov.

The UAE play China on Saturday and Lebanon on Monday.