Beach Soccer World Cup: Brazil Are Beatable —Olawale

The captain of Nigeria’s Super Sand Eagles, Isiaka Olawale, has declared that the Brazilians, who are the defending champions of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, are beatable.

The Nigerian team face a herculean task in the quarter final of the Beach Soccer World Cup as they take on Brazil tonight in Ravenna, Italy.

Isiaka, who plays for Kwara United of Ilorin, said he and his teammates are going into the match with the determination to beat Brazil though they are the tournament’s favourites.

“We respect them being the defending champions but the Brazilian team to the World Cup this year are weak unlike the one that beat us in the 2009 edition. I don’t see anything spectacular about the Brazilians,” he said.

“We are going to play them as if our lives depend on it. We can’t afford to go into the match with an inferiority complex. When you play against any Brazilian team, it’s like a war and we are ready for the battle.”

Meanwhile, the pioneer coach of beach soccer in Nigeria, Kelechi Emetiole, has charged the Super Sand Eagles to give their all in today’s tie.

“I know the match is going to be tough, but I will advise the players to give their all and leave the rest to God,” said the former Super Eagles’ defender.

Emetiole said the players have impressed him with their performances up to this stage of the tournament, adding that they could go a step further by winning the quarter final tie and qualify for the semi final against all odds.

“I am not writing them off despite the fact that they are playing against the defending champions of the World Cup.

Strange things have happened in the world of sports so I don’t see why they can’t pull a surprise out there later today and write their names in the history book, “he stated.

—Bamidele Olowosagba