Hosts Thailand, Vietnam, defending champions Iran and Oman advance to next round of the Asian Beach Games Phuket 2014
Japan overcome early fright to rule group D
One of the earmarked as favourites for the medals, Japan, faced a tough time in their debut in the Asian Beach Games 2014. The cheeky Malaysian National side made things very difficult for the Marcelo Mendes-steered squad, even managing to open the score just four minutes into the game. A brilliant goal by Oda equalized things immediately, but Fakhrullah would surprisingly give the Tigers the lead back.
Despite being able to balance things back before the end of the second frame, the Japanese would not manage to get ahead until the last period, thanks to Akaguma’s second goal. But once with the score on their side, they would not let the Malaysian counteract again. Ozu Moreira, recently awarded as one of the best 5 players in the world, widened the gap for the Samurais some minutes later, and Goto, some seconds before the hooter sealed the win for the Nippon, who eventually top group D now.
Goals: 0-1: M. Riduwan, min. 7 (1); 1-1: Oda, min. 6 (1); 1-2: M. Fakhrullah, min. 10 (2); 2-2: Akaguma, min. 3 (2); 3-2: Akaguma, min. 9 (3); 4-2: Ozu, min. 4 (3); 5-2: Goto, min. 0 (3).
Tight win sees Vietnam onto next round
Vietnam were the first team to advance to quarterfinals of the Asian Beach Games Phuket 2014, following a tight win over Qatar combined with Thailand’s victory over Kuwait. Tran maintained his inspiration today to guide the Vietnamese to their second consecutive win. Two goals by the number nine, together with Phung’s contribution almost over the hooter, send the Tuyen to next round.
The game was tightly balanced from beginning to end. Tran’s first hit was immediately replied by Al Buainain, and the score remained even for more than two periods. With only three minutes left, Vietnam found the way to the net again, and would not let their opponent stand up again. Just to make sure it did not happen, Phung secured the win almost over the final whistle. The Vietnamese side will now take on hosts Thailand, already qualified as well, to see who gets the first position in the group as they advance to quarterfinals.
Goals: 1-0: Tran, min. 6 (1); 1-1: Al Buainain, min. 5 (1); 2-1: Tran, min. 3 (3); 3-1: Phung, min. 0 (3)
Oman gets onto next round after last-breath winner
Oman secured their go-through to quarterfinals after a nail-biting fight against Syria. While the Omani will battle Iran for the first place in group B, Syria fall eliminated of this Asian Beach Games Phuket 2014, with 0 points despite their combative outcome. Things began in a pretty busy fashion in the clash between these two contenders. Three minutes after the clock began ticking down, three goals shook the scoreboard. Syria hit first, and Oman replied twice within the same 60 seconds to turn the score around. Not even three minutes later, Chlhoum equalized again for the Syrians. After some minutes of calm, the stroke exchange continued as of the beginning of the second period, with Syria bouncing back after each blow by the Omani.
Goals kept falling here and there, and with the final whistle approaching, it was impossible to foresee who was going to be the winner. A huge effort by the Qasioun Eagles got the scoreboard tied at 5 with less than one minute remaining, but, with just seconds to the hooter, Yahya hit again to claim the points for his side, thus leaving Syria without any option to advance onto next round. Oman will now take on defending champions Iran to see who gets the head of the group.
0-1: Adrah, min. 8 (1); 1-1: Al Farsi, min. 8 (1); 2-1: Al Oraimi, min. 8 (1); 2-2: Chlhoum, min. 5 (1); 3-2: Al Oraimi, min. 9 (2); 3-3: Cheikh Ahmad, min. 2 (2); 4-3: Yaqoup, min. 11 (3); 5-3: Yahya, min. 9 (3); 5-4: Kbaili, min. 2 (3); 5-5: Habeib, min. 1 (3); 6-5: Yahya, min. 0 (3)
Thailand seals ticket to Quarterfinals, and pushes Vietnam onwards, too
The hosts secured their slot within the best eight teams of this Asian Beach Games Phuket 2014, following a tight win over Kuwait in the last game of the day. The win secures the go-through for Vietnam, too. Both sides top the table in group A, with six points, and will fight tomorrow for the first place. The defeat, in turn, leaves Kuwait out of the competition, with no points earned thus far.
Knowing how much was at stake, none of the teams wanted to commit any mistake, and that lead to some minutes where goalkeepers saw danger far from their goal. Thailand was trying more insistently, though, thanks to their position within the group and the support from their noisy and devoted crowd. But it was not until the last seconds of the second half that the Elephants would step ahead. After opening the score, the Thai kept controlling the game, and sealed their win three minutes before the end of the game, with the second goal of Nanan Komkrit. With this win, Thailand and Vietnam will keep fighting in next round, after their match tomorrow to discern who the best in the group is, whereas no options are left for Kuwait and Qatar, who will face tomorrow in search of their first points.
Goals: 1-0: Nanan, min. 0 (2); 2-0: Nanan, min. 3 (3)
ASIAN BEACH GAMES PHUKET 2014
Results today:
Sunday, 16th of November, 2014
11:00 – Japan 5-2 Malaysia
12:15 – Vietnam 3-1 Qatar
13:30 – Oman 6-5 Syria
14:45 – Thailand 2-0 Kuwait
Matches for tomorrow
Monday, 17th of November, 2014
11:00 – Kuwait vs Qatar
12:15 – UAE vs Malaysia
13:30 – Bahrain vs Uzbekistan
14:45 – Thailand vs Vietnam
