Australia aim for beach soccer glory

Forget the casual game of beach soccer on a public holiday amid beer-filled eskies and sizzling snags, the Australian men's team are going for international glory.

A 12-man Australian squad has been named to travel to Dubai in November for the FIFA beach soccer World Cup Asian qualifiers.

South Australian football development officer Airton Andrioli, hailing from the home of beach football in Brazil, has been named head coach of the side.

Despite his Brazilian heritage Andrioli has only recently familiarised himself with the beach-based version of the game.

However he reckons Australia will be very competitive despite the prospect of facing Bahrain, Iran and Oman - nations with no shortage of sand to practice with.

"I have confidence in my players that if we play to our strengths and strategy we can go far in the tournament and achieve our goal of qualification," Andrioli said.

Australia last competed on the world stage at Rio De Janiero in 2005.

Five members of that squad including captain George Souris have been selected for the team as well as players from the South Australian and NSW state league competitions.

Beach soccer is played over three 12-minute periods, by five players a side on a 35-metre-long field.

Ironically, despite being played in a beach environment, players celebrating a goal by removing their shirts has been banned.

The Asian world cup qualifiers will be played from November 7 to 11 with the world cup to be played from November 16 to 22.

Countries to have already qualified include powerhouses Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Uruguay and surprisingly Russia and Switzerland.

Australia squad: George Souris (capt), Stacy Alogdellis, Jim Bakis, Jonathon Cook, Peter Crevani, Joshua Da Palma, Ivo De Jesus, Steve Karavatakis, Andrew Mailer, Danny Martinez, Michael Matricciani, Khalil Popal.