Universiade competition kicked off Tuesday, a day before the official opening ceremony of the Belgrade 2009 World University Games, with men's and women's soccer matches.
There are 16 matches scheduled for the first competition day. At FC Srem stadium in Jakovo, teams of Brazil and Thailand are to meet at 10:30 am.
The Thais do not know much about their first opponents in the group; however, they are certain that they would be able to hold their own against the South Americans. At the Universiade 2007 in Bangkok, the home team beat Canada in a penalty shootout and won the bronze medal.
"We worked hard. We have finished the last training before the start of competitions. The Universiade football tournament in Bangkok was very exciting. We will put in all we have got and make a mark at the Universiade from the start," said the team manager of Thai delegation, Akom.
Students from the land of soccer and samba are concentrating on the start of the tournament. Their team got together a month ago in Brasilia, where they began preparations for the Universiade. The final preparations were carried out in Belgrade.
"Preparations were very exhausting. We trained twice a day. We get along well, we have known each other for some time because ten of us go to the same university, while the other ten at other Brazilian universities. The only thing we know about our opponents tomorrow is that they are very fast and play well with their head. One of our team members, Andre, played in Bangkok two years ago and told us all about them. We have watched their videotaped matches. They seem to be very focused. We are looking forward to playing with them," said player Robson Goes.
The Ukraine national team is the Universiade defending champion. They will meet Moroccan team at FC Smederevo stadium.
Serbia's women soccer selection is the first to go into battle. They will play at FC Oblic stadium against Canadians, while men's national team will play a little later on the same day against Ghana, at OFK Beograd stadium.
(Xinhua News Agency July 1, 2009)
