AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup 2025 gets underway

Group A
Lebanon got off a winning start at this year’s competition, defeating Kuwait 5-4 in Group A. The fixture saw both teams lead throughout, but it was El Zein’s third period strike into the bottom right corner which clinched the victory for the Lebanese side.

Host nation Thailand ended the opening at the top of Group A with a strong 3-0 win against India. The teams couldn’t be separated for the majority of the match, as it took until the final three minutes of the second period for the opening goal to come, which was scored by Stoten with an acrobatic attempt. Thailand then put the match to bed in the last period as Nadee and Nanan both hit the target.

Group B
Group B got started with a thrilling match as Japan came out on top against Iraq in a match which ended with a 4-3 scoreline. Ozu shone for Japan, netting himself a hat-trick, as Oba scored the final goal for the winning side with a stunning bicycle kick in the closing four minutes of the fixture.

A competitive group stage tie between China PR and Saudi Arabia saw the Saudi Arabian come out victorious with a 5-3 triumph at the Jomtien Beach Arena. With the teams going into the third and final period level at 3-3, the match would be decided courtesy of Shamhani and Kark each hitting the back of the net.

Results – 20/03/25
Group A
Kuwait 4-5 Lebanon
Thailand 3-0 India

Group B
Japan 4-3 Iraq
China PR 3-5 Saudi Arabia

Fixtures – 21/03/25
Group C
IR Iran vs Indonesia
UAE vs Afghanistan

Group D
Oman vs Vietnam
Bahrain vs Malaysia

Photos: AFC