Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Pattaya: Ramiro Amarelle's glittering playing career made him one of beach soccer's biggest stars, now he is tasked with growing the sport in the world's most populous country, starting with AFC Beach Soccer Championship Thailand 2019.
For more than two decades, life has been a beach for Amarelle. After progressing through the youth ranks as a footballer at Deportivo La Coruña, he made the permanent switch to the sand as a 19-year-old, making his debut for the Spanish national team in 1997.
What followed was a stellar 16-year international career, which included over 300 international goals and an extensive list of individual accolades which included two MVP Awards at FIFA Beach Soccer World Cups in 2003 and 2008.
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/ramiro_amarelle-china-afp.html
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https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/ramiro_amarelle-china_pr.html
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https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_beach_soccer_asian_cup/video/preview_groups_a__b.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Pattaya: Thailand head coach Abolfazl Khodabandehloo has urged his side not to succumb to the pressure of being hosts, as the War Elephants prepare to face Palestine on a blockbuster opening day of the AFC Beach Soccer Championship Thailand 2019.
GROUP A
Khodabandehloo, who led Thailand at the AFC Beach Soccer Championship in Malaysia two years ago, believes hosting the competition has the potential to help his side in Pattaya, but the experienced coach - who turned 60 on Saturday - is aware that playing at home can act as a double-edged sword.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tehran: Islamic Republic of Iran are determined to defend their AFC Beach Soccer Championship title next month and seal a berth in the 2019 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
The AFC Beach Soccer Championship Thailand 2019 will be held in Pattaya on March 7-17 and Iran head coach Marco Octavio is optimistic of his team's chances.
“Without a doubt, we have an excellent team for the AFC Beach Soccer Championship. We’ve found 86 new players across the country and they took part in our training camps.
"It’s very important to have young players for the future,” the Brazilian said in an interview with the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran website.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Pattaya: Thailand will not take their group opponents lightly, says head coach Abolfazl Khodabandehloo, when the AFC Beach Soccer Championship Thailand 2019 gets underway in March.
Khodabandehloo has warned the home nation not to be complacent when they face Afghanistan, Malaysia and debutants Palestine in Group A.
“All teams in our group are tough. We won’t have an easy game and no country will come here just to add to the numbers. Thailand played with Malaysia and Afghanistan recently and both teams are technically and physically good and they are improving.
“I don’t know about Palestine but they will have the physical advantage over Thailand. Our group is going to be an open race,” said Khodabandehloo.
Thailand, the highest ranked team in Group A, will aim to build on their performances at the AFF Beach Soccer Championship in November where they were undefeated in a group of five teams before losing to Vietnam in the final.