Marcelo Mendes, the UAE national team coach, remains optimistic about his team's chances at November's Fifa beach soccer world cup despite getting a tough draw.
The UAE will face Portugal in the opening match of the tournament, which will be held in Dubai from November 16-22. The other teams in their group include Uruguay and Solomon Island.
"It is a group, but I am still confident about our chances," said Mendes after the official draw at Dubai's World Trade Center on Thursday night.
"Beach soccer can be a funny game, where weaker teams like us have an almost equal chance. So anything can happen and I believe we can still achieve our target of reaching the semi-finals."
Brazil, winners of the world cup for the last three times, have been drawn in Group D along with African champions Nigeria, Switzerland and the runners-up at the Asian qualifications, which will be held in Dubai a week before the World Cup.
The Asian champions will face Europe's top team Spain, El Salvador and Ivory Coast in Group B, while European runners-up Russia are in Group C with Italy, Costa Rica and Argentina.
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Score
New Zealand 266 for 9 in 50 overs
Pakistan 219 all out in 47.2 overs
New Zealand win by 47 runs
New Zealand lead three-match ODI series 1-0
Next match: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, Friday
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Algae, waste coffee grounds and orange peels will be used in the pavilion's walls and gangways
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