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Al Ahli take on giants

Dubai club Al Ahli will make their maiden appearance on the world stage at the 2nd Mundialito Beach Soccer for clubs in Sao Paulo from May 12 to 19.

Al Ahli earned the right to represent the UAE at this international competition as the winners of the first-ever UAE Beach Soccer League that concluded at the Al Mamzar Beach at the end of April.

Keeping such an important competition in mind, Al Ahli have bolstered their squad by roping in some top players from the UAE including talented youngsters like Abbas Moosa, Rami, Adil, Qambar and former UAE footballer Bakhit Saad for the tournament starting on the sunny beaches of Sao Paulo.

Al Ahli have been drawn in Group C with Corinthians of Brazil; Lokomotiv Moscow from Russia and Sporting Lisbon of Portugal, while Group A consists of Argentinean club Boca Juniors, Italian giants AC Milan along with Santos and Vasco da Gama from Brazil. Group B will consist of FC Barcelona, Spain, Seattle Sounders from the United States and Brazilian clubs Sao Paulo and Flamengo.

Meanwhile, Al Ahli will not be the only UAE presence in Sao Paulo during the tournament as at least three of its players have been roped in by international teams that are participating in the competition.

Al Nasr’s star striker Ali Karim has been roped in by the Seattle Sounders for a second time following his successful outing with the American club in 2010. Lokomotiv Moscow from Russia has signed up the services of UAE goalkeeper Humaid Jamal, while Ahmed Dad will be the goalkeeper for Portugal’s Sporting Lisbon.

The second edition of the Mundialito de Clubes will be held at the Praia do Sol stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil from May 12-19.

Meanwhile, the UAE squad continued their preparations for 2^nd Mundialito de Clubes with two contrasting wins in friendly matches against Qatar here last week.

In their first match, the UAE Reserve side secured a hard-fought 4-3 win two goals apiece from Khalid Ismail and Butti Mohammed.

While in their second match, coach Marcelo Mendes fielded his main squad and the hosts romped home to a crushing 5-1 result against Qatar.