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Guga's priority is to ensure UAE finish among top 10

dubai - Taking the UAE up the ladder in international beach soccer has been a carefully planned programme chalked out by the popular Brazilian coach Gustavo 'Guga' Zloccowick.
Backed by the UAE Football Association (UAEFA) and his backup men - assistant trainer Mohammed Abbas, a former Al Nasr player, and goalkeeping coach Victor Vasques, also from Brazil - Zloccowick, better known as 'Guga', has a plan that he started to implement since he took over two seasons ago.
Speaking to Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the second friendly against the Qatar senior national team at the UAEFA Academy sand pitch, on Monday evening, Guga was convinced that beginning with the National squad is the best way to make sure the sport takes a deeper root in the country.
"Right now we have to make sure the UAE senior national side finishes among the top 10 regularly. Today we have a world ranking of 11 which has to be made world 8-10 during the 2016-17 season. The world cup in Bahamas next year is crucial followed by the Asian championship in Chinese Taipei.
"What we have to emphasise is not to go into full grassroot and nursery development from the under 12 category now. Instead, let us work to shape up a solid under 20 national side parallel to the further development of a seasoned senior national men's team."
"Today the UAE senior men's side has five new faces since the last event in Dubai. The average age is now 24.5 years whereas we had a figure of 32.5 in the past seasons. The younger hands in the side have given us room for a fresh approach to our objectives. The fact that we beat a full Qatar side in the friendlies here 8-1 and 5-1 this week gives us the advantage of building further from this stage," added Guga.
"All this is possible thanks to the UAEFA absorbing us into their fold from the Dubai Sports Council's good initial spadework. The funds are more and we have experienced hands willing to understand the teething issues a new sport like beach soccer is likely to have as it grows into the mainstream of the sports fraternity in the country," the former Brazilian club player said.
Guga continued: "When we have a consistent national side and a good backup under 20 squad, then people and administrators will start to have more faith in us. The rest of the support and backing will follow automatically. Schools will naturally pick up as they will have heroes to follow as examples."
Captain Khalil Mohammed of Dubai Police is one of the men responsible for establishing Al Ahli Club, the national champions, as the talent base in the UAE in beach soccer. "Beach soccer has been my passion for so many years. After playing for Al Ahli, I spend time with the club and the national side between my regular work, to make sure the sport gets fully into our sports system. There are so many naturally talented youngsters at the club and elsewhere in the country for the UAE to go higher," Capt. Mohammed of Dubai Police, said.
moni@khaleejtimes.com