(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Asian champion Oman has been clubbed in a tough Group B with former World Cup finalists - Switzerland and Italy - and Costa Rica for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Portugal 2015 following the draw on Tuesday.
The seaside resort of Espinho in Portugal hosted the draw for the 16 participating nations that will compete for the title at the Praia da Baia Espinho from July 9-19.
The star attractions at the draw ceremony which left hosts and Group A seeds Portugal facing Japan Argentina and Senegal and multiple world champions Brazil taking on Mexico Spain and Iran were former Portugal goalkeeper Vitor Baia and former France midfielder Christian Karembeu.
Speaking to Muscat Daily from Espinho after the draw Oman coach Talib Hilal said 'It is a tough group with two teams from Europe. Switzerland is ranked third in the world and Italy is an experienced side.'
'Both the teams have been World Cup finalists and we need to beat at least one of them to have any hopes to qualify into the next stage.'
Talib said 'At the world level no group is easy. We will prepare hard and I am hopeful that we can advance to the knockout stage. I do not have much idea about Costa Rica. We play against them in our last league game. Our opening match is against fancied Switzerland. We will prepare well and be ready to put up a good show.'
Talib's men clinched only its second ever place at the World Cup thanks to its superb performance at the 2015 AFC Championship in Doha Qatar last month.
The Omanis kicked off by topping Group A with a trio of victories and followed that up with a victory against China in the quarterfinals before seeing off Lebanon in the last four. That set up a final clash against two-time Asian champion Japan but Oman edged the favourites on penalties to claim its maiden Asian title.
The Asian champion rely heavily on an experienced core of players who appeared at Ravenna Italy in 2011 such as captain Hani al Dhabit and the talented Yahya al Araimi scorer of seven goals at the recent AFC Championship.
This group also includes Jalal al Sinani Yaqoob al Alawi Ishaq al Mas and goalkeeper Haitham Showan the hero of the final against Japan after saving the last kick in the shoot-out.
There are also some promising youngsters like Ghaith al Alawi who also weighed in with seven goals at the Asian finals in Doha Qatar.
Oman reached its first ever World Cup by advancing to the semifinals of the 2011 AFC Championship but things did not go well for the newcomers in Ravenna. It lost all three games - to Argentina El Salvador and Portugal - and then missed out altogether on Tahiti worlds in 2013.
Switzerland is expected to be the toughest opponent for Oman in the group as the European giant qualified for the 2015 World Cup with a 100 per cent winning record and finishing runner-up in the final.
The 2009 World Cup finalist under renowned coach Angelo Schirinzi is a technically gifted side and has become one of Europe's best teams.
After its dream debut in 2009 the team however was eliminated at the group stage in 2011 and did not qualify for Tahiti. Italy too has been beaten finalist in 2008 worlds.
The group phase will take place from July 9-14 with four games a day being staged on Espinho Beach.
Following a rest day on July 15 the action will resume with the quarterfinals. The semifinals are scheduled for July 18 with the match for third place and the final kicking off the following day.
Group A:
Portugal Japan Argentina Senegal; Group B: Switzerland Oman Italy Costa Rica; Group C: Brazil Mexico Spain Iran; Group D: Russia Paraguay Tahiti Madagascar.
Oman's Group B fixtures:
July 9: vs Switzerland July 11: vs Italy July 13: vs Costa Rica.
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