Another tournament, another trophy, another MVP. This time Mauricinho headlined Brazil’s conquering of the NEOM Beach Soccer Cup in Saudi Arabia. The Seleção have now won all five competitions in which they’ve participated in 2023.

Japan and United Arab Emirates, who are also preparing for February’s FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup UAE 2024™, finished the eight-team competition in second and third respectively.

Mauricinho was unplayable as defending champions Brazil, who won the Mundialito earlier this month, thrashed Turkey 11-2, United Arab Emirates 8-3 and Spain 8-2 to reach the final. Awaiting them were Japan, and the runners-up at the last Beach Soccer World Cup twice led on Gayal Beach. Once Catarino, a serial scorer of wonder goals, put the Seleção ahead with another of his gems, however, they were unshakable and a Brendo brace cruised them to a 5-2 victory.

United Arab Emirates beat Spain on penalties in the recent Mundialito, and this time they did it in normal time, 5-4 thanks to doubles apiece from Ahmed Beshr Salem and Abbas Ali Naseri. The fast-rising UAE ended another admirable campaign by beating Germany 3-2 for bronze.