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Times of Oman
05-04-2025
- Sport
- Times of Oman
Oman drawn in 'Group of Death' with Brazil, Italy and El Salvador
Muscat: Oman have once again found themselves in a daunting group at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, as the draw for the 2025 edition in Seychelles on Friday placed the Asian Cup runners-up alongside defending world champions and world No.1 Brazil, European heavyweights and world No.2 Italy, and CONCACAF champions El Salvador in Group D. Set to take place from May 1 to 11, the tournament marks Oman's sixth appearance at the global showpiece, and they'll be hoping to reach the knockout phase for the first time – a feat that has remained elusive despite some spirited campaigns in the past. Oman head coach Talib Hilal acknowledged the steep challenge ahead, but remains optimistic. In his exclusive remarks to Times of Oman from Seychelles on Saturday, Talib, who has been the national coach for the past 18 years, said: 'This is not new for us. In the last four World Cups, we've always been grouped with either Brazil or Portugal. This time, instead of Portugal, we face Italy, another top team. It's not an easy group. With full respect to El Salvador, who are also a strong side, we will give everything to compete against Brazil, the world champions, and Italy, one of Europe's best.' The Omani side recently fell to Iran 8-1 in the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup final in Pattaya, Thailand – a match that ended their impressive run in the regional tournament. Despite the final setback, Oman showed grit throughout the campaign and qualified as Asian runners-up. Veteran player Mandher Al Oraimi, a key figure in the squad, echoed the coach's sentiments on the draw. Al Oraimi said: 'It's a tough draw given that we'll face the world champions Brazil and the last World Cup's runners-up Italy, but we will fight to advance to the knockout phase for the first time,' he said. Tough history, steely resolve In their previous five appearances, Oman have consistently found themselves in difficult groups. Yet they've managed to win at least one match in each of their last four tournaments. Their most notable result came in 2021, when they stunned eventual semi-finalists Senegal 3-2 in Russia. At UAE 2024, they beat Mexico 5-2 and pushed both Brazil and Portugal to the limit before losing narrowly – 5-3 to Brazil and 3-2 to Portugal. Group D this time is considered the 'Group of Death', with world's top two teams, Brazil, Italy, along with El Salvador, and Oman all having significant international experience and quality players. Brazil are the reigning champions and boast stars such as Catarino, Rodrigo, Mauricinho, and Bobo. Speaking after the draw, Catarino said: 'Our group is really strong. We know the teams we're going up against collectively and individually. We're really motivated. Every game will be a final decided by small details.' Italy, runners-up in 2024, will renew their fierce rivalry with Brazil in the group stage. Italian forward Josep Jr said: 'I believe that, of the four groups, ours is the most difficult. Brazil are the reigning champions and the big favourites. Oman have qualified for several World Cups and have some quality players, especially their captain Khalid Al Oraimi. El Salvador are CONCACAF champions and have players active in many international competitions. This is truly the group of death.' El Salvador, ranked 16th, famously eliminated Italy in 2011 and finished fourth that year. Their coach Rudis Gallo said he respected all his group opponents. He said: 'Brazil are a power. We played them in Russia. We played well and we hope to do even better this time. Oman are a good team. Italy are very strong. We know what our opponents are capable of, but we trust in our work and our players.' Other groups also promise drama. Group B features former champions Portugal, in-form Iran, and Paraguay, who recently beat Brazil in the Copa America group stage. Debutants Mauritania aim to surprise after finishing runners-up in their first CAF Beach Soccer AFCON. Group C is stacked with seasoned performers like Spain, Tahiti, and Senegal, while hosts Seychelles will be eyeing a competitive debut in Group A against Japan, Guatemala, and Belarus. Despite the daunting challenge ahead, Oman's journey to Seychelles 2025 is filled with belief and resilience. Coach Talib summed it up best: 'We have faced giants before, and we've earned their respect. We'll be ready.' The official draw took place in Seychelles on Friday with 16 nations divided into four groups: Group A: Seychelles, Belarus, Guatemala, Japan. Group C: Spain, Senegal, Chile, Tahiti. Group D: Brazil, El Salvador, Italy, Oman.
CBS News
07-03-2025
- Science
- CBS News
Bay Area startup looks to seaweed as a possible solution to plastic pollution
Plastic waste is a huge problem, with bags and packaging a major culprit. A Bay Area startup has figured out a way to replace these plastics, with a plant that grows abundantly off the coast. At the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve in Moss Beach in San Mateo County, twice a day, at low tide, a sensational event unfolds. The giant Pacific waves recede to reveal a hidden world, teeming with marine life. Growing on the giant rocks, glistening seaweed. The countless species of marine plants and algae are arguably one of Mother Nature's miracle crops. "Seaweed does a lot of good while it is growing. It's creating habitat for biodiverse life, it's creating every other breath that you take, it's sequestering an immense amount of carbon. There's lots of reasons to love seaweed," remarked entrepreneur Julia Marsh. Now there's a possible remarkable new one at Sway, a San Leandro-based startup. "At Sway, we're using seaweed as a replacement for plastic," said Marsh. "Our material is 100% compostable in both a home and industrial setting," added Matt Mayes. Marsh and Mayes are the co-founders of the startup. Using breakthrough technology, they've come up with a promising solution to a huge problem. "We're using the natural polymers which is the plastic-like quality of seaweed to replace flexible films and bags and wrappers and pouches that are causing so much pollution on our planet," explained Marsh. Seaweed contains high levels of a certain substance – a natural polymer - that makes it stretchy and flexible. Using that polymer, the team created what it calls "Thermoplastic Seaweed Resin," or TPSea for short. TPSea is a bio-based resin that melts and stretches just like plastic. The beauty of the breakthrough is that it can be used in existing plastic manufacturing systems. The Sway team showed CBS News Bay Area how the TPsea worked with blown film extrusion. "So, this is a very small-scale version of what's being done in industry. So, imagine this but 5 stories tall and a bubble that's like 80 inches wide," explained Senior Material Engineer Matt Catarino. Catarino placed a handful of pellets into the device, which created a very thin-walled film made from the seaweed formulation. "This is one of the most difficult processes for plastic extrusion, and to be able to say we're doing seaweed on it, it's pretty cool." said Catarino. "There is a big issue with fossil-based plastics, and this is kind of almost a catch all for a material that can change the industry and impact our earth in a fantastic way," said materials Engineer Vincent Hoey. The formulations are also home compostable and non-toxic according to lab manager Annie Wang. She was working on collecting and verifying the data on composting. "The home composting certification tests looks for breaking down within 180 days and this is showing almost full disintegration of our material in these elevated conditions in 2 to 3 weeks," said Wang, pointing to frames full of disintegrating films. You can find sway's seaweed formulations in food windows, product wrappers, and polybags. The polybags are in use by clothing brands, including Faherty, Alex Crane, Florence, and Prana. "Our vision, our mandate our goal is to include as much seaweed and as much bio-based content as possible into all the products we're offering," noted Mayes. Sway sources its seaweed from farms around the world including Indonesia and Maine. The cultivated crops don't require fresh water or fertilizers and grow quickly. "The most common method is you have these lines that are seeded with seaweed you give the seaweed a haircut. When it's time, the seaweed regenerates," explained Marsh. Back at Moss Beach, CBS News Bay Area asked visitors what they thought of the idea. "What better way is that to use the seaweed/ i think that's great. You know what i mean? That's awesome", said East Bay Resident Deborah Yabusaki. Eileen Field liked the idea that it was home compostable. "I have a farm, I have a mandarin orchard, and of course we're always trying to make compost for the trees so I think that would be awesome", Field said. Eleven million tons of plastic enter the ocean every year. The team at Sway hopes to turn that around. "If there's more seaweed, the ocean's a healthier place. The planet's a healthier place," said Marsh, with a big smile.
