Azerbaijan and Czech Rep. get in command in Haikou

The Azeri bend Hungary (7-3) as the Czechs upset hosts China (3-5) in the opening day at the CFA Belt and Road International Cup

Day 1 at the CFA Belt and Road International Beach Soccer Cup Haikou 2018 ended with Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic on top of the standings. 

The Czechs upset hosts China in the International debut of coach Ramiro Amarelle. The stout beginning by the European caught China by surprise. 

The latter reaction by the hosts, led by Liu Yisi’s brace, came too late to spur the Asian options, and the Czech Republic ended up grasping the points. 

In the second game of the day, Azerbaijan stated their higher position in the beach soccer panorama by bending young Hungary with an incontestable 7-3.

Goalkeeper Shirinbayov and Abdul Aliyev had the Azeri 2-0 ahead in the first period, with the Magyar pulling one back in the last seconds of the frame to keep in the fight.

Two more goals by the men from the Land of Fire widened the gap to make it 4-1, but Hungary would not give up, cutting the distance again to make it 5-3 midway half third frame. 

Azerbaijan did not falter after that, though, and hit twice in the last minutes to seal a win that eventually pushes them atop of the table.

The competition resumes tomorrow, with two more games.

For complete results, schedules and standings, click here.