Russia beat mighty Brazil to clinch beach soccer cup

Russia proved worthy world champions as they clinically dismantled four-time world champions Brazil in a pulsating finale to the 2011 Fifa Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup held at The Walk JBR last weekend. In doing so, the Russians proved that their win was no flash in the pan, and their victory in the final of the 2011 Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup in Ravenna, Italy was no fluke either. But, more importantly, the European champions underscored the narrowing gap between the once invincible Brazil and the rest of the nations. "There is a small secret on how we do it, but I cannot tell this to you," Russian coach Mikhail Likhachev told Gulf News after his team's fighting 5-4 win against Brazil in the final on Saturday. "I had my set of instructions and I am glad that my players followed these to the most minute detail. I am proud of the way they responded after trailing Brazil on two occasions during the course of the final," the coach added. Playing to a plan "We always play to a plan and tonight was no exception. Of course, we have our special players who are meant to do special things and I am glad that they could re-write an achievement of beating Brazil twice within a couple of months. There is a small secret, but I will still not tell it to you," he joked. One more man enjoying the big occasion was UAE coach Marcelo Mendes after his side's narrow penalty shootout defeat at the hands of European runners-up Switzerland. "We tried our best, but our best was not good enough. Our goal has been achieved as we have shown the beach soccer world that we are capable of matching even the best nations in the world," Mendes said. The UAE rallied from 1-4 down to score three quick goals and draw level 4-4 by the end of regulation period. Even the mandatory three-minute extra period did not break the deadlock thereby forcing the shootout that was won by the Swiss. "We have a good team that is capable of fighting head to head against even the strongest in the world. This tournament has proved the potential of this young side. I think we can only get better with time," Mendes added. UAE team manager Khalil Mohammad Ahli was already targeting their next major competition — the Asian Beach Games to be held in China in mid-June next year. "This squad needs to be developed. The Asian Beach Games will be first and then our target will be to qualify for the 2015 World Cup," Ahli said. RESULTS *    Final: Russia bt Brazil 5-4; Third place: Switzerland bt UAE 5-4 (4-4 at FT; 1-0 in penalty shootout). *    Awards: Best Goalkeeper: Jenilson [Mao] Rodrigues (Brazil); Most Valuable Player: Dejan Stankovic (Switzerland) - 12 goals.