And will face UAE (19:00) and Switzerland (20:15) in semi finals of the Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup 2011
Brazil take penalty kick-lead
Big stars decide big games. This could be the shortest summary of what happened this evening on the sand of the JBR Beach Stadium, in the match set to decide who was to take the head of group B in this last group stage matchday of the Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup 2011. The clash between two Beach Soccer superpowers turned to be an unforgettable spectacle, a fight between equals which needed to be decided from the penalty-kick spot, with Mao’s miracle hand to send Meier’s attempt out and points in for his team.
The first stages of the game set clear that it was to be a real Beach Soccer party. Indeed, it was only some seconds after the kick-off signal that Stankovic’s left-foot canon sent the first ball into Mao’s back of the net. The Dubai crowned as best player in the World scored his second of the evening just minutes afterwards and seemed to began the revenge for what happened in this same city two years and two days ago, with the Brazilian clinching the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2009.
But number nine on the other side of the pitch, Andre, would not let that happen that easily, and hit twice to level things back by mid second period. The score did not move again during that second 12 minutes, but the third ones would begin with a strictly different fashion, with Bruno Xavier and Andre himself changing the sign of the game with two electric goals in the first minute of the last time. It was not an easy duty for the Alpine to come back after that double slap, but Borer and Samuel managed to achieve it for their team in just one minute, confirming that Switzerland is in good shape after their disappointing performance in the last FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
Match headed then for the only way left to untie the equality, the penalty shootout, where after Bruno Xavier and Andre’s success for Brazil, and Stankovic’s for Switzerland, the responsibility came down to Meier. Unluckily for the Alpine number 10, the excellent Mão did not fall in his trap, and send the ball out with a brilliant fly, thus securing the goup’s highest place for the Verdeamarela.
Goals: 1-0: Stankovic, min. 11 (1); 2-0: Stankovic, min. 5 (1); 2-1: Andre, min. 3 (1); 2-2: Andre, min. 8 (2); 2-3: Bruno Xavier, min. 11 (3); 2-4: André, min. 11 (3); 3-4: Borer, min. 7 (3); 4-4: Samuel, min. 6 (3)
Penalty shootout: Bruno Xavier, in; Stankovic, in; Andre, in; Meier, Mão saves.
Merciless Russia not to ease off
It is easy to reckon one of the things that have made Russia such a powerful team, capable of winning in just two months two highly demanding competitions such as the Euro Beach Soccer League Superfinal and FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011: their iron-made concentration. This unbreakable will for collecting victory after victory, with no trace of relaxation, of lack of concentration, keep Likhachev’s side always tuned, always ready to face any enemy, always on disposition of crushing any resistance.
Today, it was hosts UAE the ones to stomach this bitter experience, facing the best team in the world in their fight for the head of group A. A fight they were banned to dream with quite early. Although Mendes’ lads made things tough for the Russian roller in the first period, after Krash’s 0-2, things became too uphill for the Arabian, who began being severely punished by the terrific accuracy of their opponent.
Although UAE never turned their back to the game, luck was not with them today, and any move they tied found no happy ending, exactly the opposite that Russia was experiencing. All in all, the 0-7 may be a too loud result for both team’s merits, but these things happen when you face such a monster as Russia is, never for forgiving any of your mistakes, no matter how little they may be.
Notwithstanding, the primary objective was already secured for Mendes’ team, who got yesterday their ticket for the fight among the best four. In that semifinal stage, to begin at 19:00 h., UAE are going to play against Brazil, trying to get a place in Saturday’s final of this amusing Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup 2011.
Goals: 0-1: Shaykov, min. 5 (1); 0-2: Krash, min. 7 (2); 0-3: Leonov, min. 5 (2); 0-4: Krash, min. 5 (2); 0-5: Eremeev, min. 10 (3); 0-6: Shaykov, min. 7 (3); 0-7: Gorchinskiy, min. 6 (3);
Mexico prevails over Oman
Mexico could finally farewell this Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup 2011 with a win, after being knocked down in their first two matches against Switzerland and Brazil. In that two matches, though, the Azteca deserved a bigger prize, a prize they could only get today.
The Americans lead the control of the game all the time, and since Cervantes swept them ahead, they would never leave their predominant position, making their advantage wider thanks to a blasting shot by captain Cati and a good move tapped in by Flores to make the score 3-0 with just five minutes to the final horn.
But when things seemed over for Talib’s side, two hits by Is’haq added extra excitement to the last minute of the game. But this is the only thing they could bring, as they could never find the way to the Mexican net again, and Ramon Raya’s side retained their first three points not to leave Dubai with empty hands.
Goals: 1-0: Cervantes, min. 5 (1); 2-0: Cati, min. 8 (3); 3-0: C. Flores, min. 5 (3); 3-1: Is’haq, min. 4 (3); 3-2: Ish’haq, min. 0 (3);
Nigeria rolls over Tahiti to pack last points to Africa
Nigeria bagged their first points in their last game at the JBR Beach Stadium, getting even with Tahiti in a surprisingly loud way. It is not that they are not capable of beating any team, but Tahiti had given much better signs than what they did today. Nothing seemed to be on the right place for the Oceania champions who, although trying to stick to their vivid and enthusiastic playing style, were punished once and again by the African force.
Yet in the first 12 minutes, two doubles by Olawale and Tale unbalanced things drastically, raising the 4-0 in the score. And Things did not change much for Tahiti with the beginning of the second period, with the Green Eagles putting their goal into siege, and Olawale extending his legend. The Nigerian captain pulled a brilliant move out of his hat, and back-heeled the ball to the back of Torohia’s net for his hat-trick and the fifth for his side.
Only after Emeka managed the 0-6 for his Nigeria, Tahiti found a little reply. Bennett had the last word for his team, although, needless to say, that voice was too low to contest the Nigerian dominance.
Goals: 0-1: Olawale, min. 8 (1); 0-2: Olawale, min. 5 (1); 0-3: Tale, min. 0 (1); 0-4: Tale, min. 0 (1); 0-5: Olawale, min. 7 (2); 0-6 Emeka, min. 7 (3); 1-6: Bennett, min. 2 (3)
Results today
Thursday, November 24th
16:30 – Oman 2-3 Mexico
17.45 – Tahiti 1-6 Nigeria
19:00 – Switzerland 4(1)-4(2) Brazil
20:15 – UAE 0-7 Russia
Matches for tomorrow:
SEMIFINALS
Friday, November 24th
19:00 – Brazil vs. UAE
20:15 – Russia vs. Switzerland
Competition standings
GROUP A
1 – Russia: 9 points (+17)
2 – UAE: 6 points (-1)
3 – Tahiti: 0 points (-12)
4 – Nigeria: 0 points (-3)
GROUP B
1 – Brazil: 8 points (+6)
2 – Switzerland: 6 points (+7)
3 – Mexico: 0 points (-3)
4 – Oman: 0 points (-10)
