The hosts and the Emirati confirmed top places in Group A and B of Asian Cup after beating Thailand and Australia
UAE bend Australia for a place in the final
UAE will play the final of this Asian Beach Soccer Cup after edging Australia in the decider of the group B. The Emirati clinched a fully deserved three points to secure a place in the fight for the trophy, in a tight game only cleared thanks to a 3-0 run in the last stage.
Australia?s objective was to upset the Marcelo Mendes? side, to at least get a bit of sweet revenge after the Emirati closed the Beach Socceroos the doors to the World Cup in the last Asian Qualifier. A truly determined approach to the game, and the solidness they have got us accustomed to turned them into a real menace for UAE, and the fiercely leveled two first periods had both teams tied 0 goals apiece at the second hooter.
But in the third period, the more experienced Mendes side broke that draw, to get in control of the score and seize the points. Abbas Ali stung first. Shortly afterwards, Haitham Mohammed tapped in a perfectly built move that began in the goalkeeper to end up becoming the 2-0. That second goal was a heavy stroke for the Aussies, who saw that the game was fleeing off their hands and found themselves unable to counteract.
With one minute to go, Kamal finally sealed the win for UAE, who will now take on hosts China in the final to bag this maiden edition of the Asian Beach Soccer Cup.
Goals: 1-0: A. Ali, min. 10 (3); 2-0: Haitham Mohammed, min. 6 (3); 3-0: Kamal, min. 1 (3);
China to fight for the cup at home
The Chinese National side knocked Thailand down to clinch the second berth in the final of this first annual Asian Beach Soccer Cup taking place in Haiyang. The hosts run past the struggling Thai in their second combat in the tournament to top group A, and will now take on UAE in the event?s decider.
Despite they seemed to have everything against them, Thailand tried to not lose face to the game, and competed on equal teams with China for the first twelve minutes. Phusonmuek equalized Sung?s opener to reach the first hooter one goal apiece.
But in the second leg China geared up and headed decidedly to the final. A 3-0 run during that stage decided a game in which, paradoxically, Thailand were playing good beach soccer. That led to a certain frustration on Khongkaew?s side, that ended up in Tapinna being sent off.
The hosts finalized all Thai options in an all-round third period, in which Liu?s double sealed the top of the group for Ongaro?s side. Next challenge for the Chinese side will be the UAE, who they are to face in the final to discern who takes this first Asian Beach Soccer Cup home.
Goals: 0-1: Sung GR, min. 5 (1); 1-1: Phusonmuek, min. 1 (1); 1-2: Cai, min. 11 (2); 1-3: Qiu, min. 7 (2); 1-4: Han, min. 4 (2); 1-5: Liu, min. 7 (3); 1-6: Liu, min. 2 (3);
ASIAN BEACH SOCCER CUP 2013
Results today:
Saturday, 13th of July, 2013
16:00 ? UAE 3-0 Australia
19:30 ? Thailand 1-6 China
Matches for tomorrow:
Sunday, 14th of July, 2013
16:00 ? Thailand vs Australia (2nd Group A vs 2nd Group B)
17:15 ? China vs UAE(1st Group A vs 1st Group B)
