I knew Russia would defeat Brazil –Beach Eagles captain
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- Category: Sports
- Written by David Ngobua
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Our performance in Italy to say the least is a very big boost to the Beach Soccer team. Before the World Cup we embarked on a two weeks training tour of Portugal where we played two friendly matches. This helped us so much at the World Cup proper. This is the second time we went on a training tour. At the World Cup we lost our first match to Russia but we were not discouraged because Russia is one of the best beach soccer teams in the World. We had to psyche ourselves up for the remaining group matches. We went back to the drawing board and ensured that we won our remaining group matches.
What was thinking of the team before the quarter finals clash against former champions, Brazil?
Brazil is still the best beach soccer playing nation in the World. When we were to meet them in the quarter finals, we knew it was not going to be a stroll in the park but we had played them before so we were not really afraid. Even though they had beaten us, we put that record behind us and that was why we gave them a good fight this time. We thank God that the goal difference was not that much. They did not get the result on a platter of gold. For us, it was not a bad result.
But why did Beach Eagles concede two quick goals in the extra time?
Well, like I said, when you are playing against the best team in the world, anything can happen. Like the first goal in the extra time took us by surprise because before we could know what was happening, the throw had been taken and it resulted into that goal. Then there was the controversial penalty. But we were not so bothered because in every sport, certain countries enjoy some privileges because sponsors would not like to see them eliminated so easily. It would take off the shine and reduce the needed mileage. Like in Beach soccer, Brazil, Portugal and Russia are expected to last till the end.
You played both Brazil and Russia in the championship. When the two nations were to meet in the finals, which of them did you tip for victory?
When Brazil lost to Russia in the finals, they did not believe their eyes but I knew Russia stood a good chance of beating them. We stayed in the same hotel with Russia and we were always interacting. I even gave my jersey to the coach of Russia because he said he enjoyed my game. I told him that they were going to beat Brazil in the finals. He didn’t believe me but I told him that the Brazil of 2011 is not the Brazil of 2009 and my prediction came to pass.
Do you believe you would have beaten Russia in the finals if you had gone past Brazil?
Had it been we defeated Brazil, we could have gone all the way to the finals. And a rematch against Russia would have been explosive. Even the Russians know the stuff we are made of and were silently praying never to meet us again in the championship.
Already there are calls for the Nigeria Football Federation to start a Beach Soccer League. What is your take on this?
Yeah, I believe if we have a well organized Beach Soccer League in the country, we shall rule the world in no distant future. We have continued to improve with every competition and our opponents too are beginning to be afraid of us. We really need a league because competitive matches would make us stronger and better.
How long do you intend to play for the Beach Soccer Eagles?
I can’t say for now (laughs). For now, I am playing very well and the team needs of wealth of experience. I am still very important to the team just like any of the other players. The game is very interesting and once you get used to playing it, you would never want to stop. It requires intelligence, stamina and lot of skills. For now I am still strong and relevant to the team so I will continue to play.
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I knew Russia would defeat Brazil –Beach Eagles captain
Category: Sports Written by David Ngobua Hits: 344
Captain of Beach Eagles, Isiaka Olawale in this telephone interview with Shot! said even before the finals of the just concluded FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Ravenna, Italy, he knew that Russia would beat Brazil because after meeting the former world champions in the quarter finals, he discovered the team was not as good as it was in 2009. How would you assess Beach Eagles performance in the just concluded FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Ravenna, Italy?Our performance in Italy to say the least is a very big boost to the Beach Soccer team. Before the World Cup we embarked on a two weeks training tour of Portugal where we played two friendly matches. This helped us so much at the World Cup proper. This is the second time we went on a training tour. At the World Cup we lost our first match to Russia but we were not discouraged because Russia is one of the best beach soccer teams in the World. We had to psyche ourselves up for the remaining group matches. We went back to the drawing board and ensured that we won our remaining group matches.
What was thinking of the team before the quarter finals clash against former champions, Brazil?
Brazil is still the best beach soccer playing nation in the World. When we were to meet them in the quarter finals, we knew it was not going to be a stroll in the park but we had played them before so we were not really afraid. Even though they had beaten us, we put that record behind us and that was why we gave them a good fight this time. We thank God that the goal difference was not that much. They did not get the result on a platter of gold. For us, it was not a bad result.
But why did Beach Eagles concede two quick goals in the extra time?
Well, like I said, when you are playing against the best team in the world, anything can happen. Like the first goal in the extra time took us by surprise because before we could know what was happening, the throw had been taken and it resulted into that goal. Then there was the controversial penalty. But we were not so bothered because in every sport, certain countries enjoy some privileges because sponsors would not like to see them eliminated so easily. It would take off the shine and reduce the needed mileage. Like in Beach soccer, Brazil, Portugal and Russia are expected to last till the end.
You played both Brazil and Russia in the championship. When the two nations were to meet in the finals, which of them did you tip for victory?
When Brazil lost to Russia in the finals, they did not believe their eyes but I knew Russia stood a good chance of beating them. We stayed in the same hotel with Russia and we were always interacting. I even gave my jersey to the coach of Russia because he said he enjoyed my game. I told him that they were going to beat Brazil in the finals. He didn’t believe me but I told him that the Brazil of 2011 is not the Brazil of 2009 and my prediction came to pass.
Do you believe you would have beaten Russia in the finals if you had gone past Brazil?
Had it been we defeated Brazil, we could have gone all the way to the finals. And a rematch against Russia would have been explosive. Even the Russians know the stuff we are made of and were silently praying never to meet us again in the championship.
Already there are calls for the Nigeria Football Federation to start a Beach Soccer League. What is your take on this?
Yeah, I believe if we have a well organized Beach Soccer League in the country, we shall rule the world in no distant future. We have continued to improve with every competition and our opponents too are beginning to be afraid of us. We really need a league because competitive matches would make us stronger and better.
How long do you intend to play for the Beach Soccer Eagles?
I can’t say for now (laughs). For now, I am playing very well and the team needs of wealth of experience. I am still very important to the team just like any of the other players. The game is very interesting and once you get used to playing it, you would never want to stop. It requires intelligence, stamina and lot of skills. For now I am still strong and relevant to the team so I will continue to play.