Bahrain, Afghanistan pick up early wins

The Group A rivals kicked off the AFC Beach Soccer Championship with victories.

The AFC Beach Soccer Championship 2017 got underway in Kuala Terengganu on Saturday with Group A rivals Bahrain and Afghanistan the sides to collect early wins.

Bahrain and China kicked off the competition as the former began in style, picking up a comfortable 5-0 success to kick off their group-stage campaign.

Amid a bright start from Bahrain, a brace from captain Rashed Jamal set his side on course for victory in Kuala Terengganu before Hisham Yusuf Ahmed, Mohamed Abdulla and Ayoob Naseeb Salem joined him on the scoresheet in the latter stages.

With only two games to take place on the opening day – both in the five-team Group A – Afghanistan then joined Bahrain on maximum points with a 5-3 win over home nation Malaysia.

The Afghanis upset the party somewhat on the east coast as a Raof Qaderi hat-trick helped seal victory and bolster hopes of making the semi-finals, going into Sunday’s clash with Iran.

Saturday results

14.30: China 0-5 Bahrain

16.00: Afghanistan 5-3 Malaysia

Sunday fixtures

14.30: Afghanistan v China

16.00: Malaysia v Iran