Adaptability is not a concept that is alien to the Brazilian, having been somewhat of a journeyman in his playing days as a centre-back.

He started his career with America RJ in the Brazilian domestic league in 1996, which was then followed by stints with numerous other lower league clubs in Brazil before coming to Asia to play a season in Malaysia with Terengganu in 2005, then returning to Brazil to join Real Brasilia before eventually hanging up his boots in 2007.

It wasn’t long before Soares found his next calling, with his first foray in coaching being an assistant manager with Brasilience in 2008 followed by stints with Santos U20 and Corinthians U17 before returning to Asia.

He was appointed coach of Al Hilal SFC’s U17 side in 2021 before assuming the position of head coach of the Saudi Arabia U20 team a year later.

The Arab Games 2023 was where the foundation of the squad was built as Soares led Saudi Arabia to the gold medal in Algeria, defeating Syria 5-4 on penalties with Saleh Barnawi and Hamed Yousef among those who played in the game.

Under his guidance, Saudi Arabia breezed through the AFC U20 Asian Cup 2025 qualifiers by topping Group D on 10 points, the same as Saturday’s final opponents Australia but with a superior goal difference.

At China 2025, Soares has shown his ability to bring the best out of his squad with only Saad Haqawi, Farhah Al Shamrani, Awad Aman and Hamed Yousef having started each of Saudi Arabia’s five matches in their run to the final.

The Brazilian’s willingness to make changes could well see Saudi Arabia hoisting the trophy on Saturday.