Asian nations facing Beach Soccer World Cup challenge in Doha

The Qatari capital of Doha has this week (22nd to 26th January) been hosting the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) qualifiers for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

16 nations (hosts Qatar, Afghanistan, Australia, Bahrain, China, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan) are taking part in the event which is being staged on Doha's Katara Beach.

Divided into four groups, the top team from each group will advance to the semi-finals, while the finalists and the third-place team will qualify for the 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Tahiti in September.

Competing for the first time, the hosts are keen to make an impressive beginning before the home crowd, with Qatar's Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Lisboa, popularly known as Nenem, appeared confident ahead of the tournament.

He explained "we played against China and lost 3-2 and we also played two more pratice matches against two local Brazilian Futsal sides, ahead of the championship. All the players are in good shape and are keen to give their best," said Nenem, who is the top Brazilian goalscorer in the history of Beach Soccer and who was voted best player in the world in 2002.

"We also trained in Dubai for one week," said the Brazilian who has been with the team for the last two seasons.

Nenem added "it a nice thing that the qualifiers are taking place in Qatar and we hope we can qualify for the World Cup in Tahiti. All our players are locally based players and the qualifying round is an exciting opportunity for our team. We will have the advantage of playing our matches in front of a home crowd. I hope that hosting the event will engage the local public with the sport and raise awareness of the talent that we have in our squad."

For the first time, 16 teams will fight for one of three prized berths to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2013 in Tahiti.

Favourites to win are Japan, who have competed at every FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup since it was first held in 2005, when they finished fourth in what remains the best ever placing by an Asian side.

For more information go to www.fifa.com/beachsoccerworldcup/index.html