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Gori scores second hat-trick in as many days while seven sides crash out of medal race
European teams continue to dominate in Qatar as Russia, Switzerland, Spain and Italy remain in the running for the semi-finals, along with Brazil, Senegal, Iran, Japan and Paraguay.
After suffering second defeats, UAE, Morocco, Ukraine, Uruguay, El Salvador, Solomon Islands and Mexico are out of the competition with one group game still to play.
Today, the action got underway in Group A…
Group A
Brazil 7-5 UAE
After a superb performance yesterday against Morocco, Gilberto’s men kicked off their match against United Arab Emirates by taking the lead after just three minutes, through a Rafinha hit.
Bokinha doubled the advantage before the first whistle as the Brazilians looked likely to extend their lead in the next period. Things didn’t quite go according to plan though…
The second 12 minutes kicked off at electric pace and in the space of four seconds three goals were scored, including a Walid double. Ali hit a long shot to level the score at 3-3 but then Abbas, with seconds of the period left, hit a freekick to put the Emirati ahead!
Bokinha bagged his second just in time and a relieved Brazil side went into the second break on level terms. Rodrigo couldn’t miss when Mauricinho slid in a low cross and the Canarinha were ahead.
Ahmed’s loose back pass then sailed into his own net to extend the Brazilian lead, and Rodrigo took a second, poking in from close range to end the UAE giant-slaying mission.
Walid had time to convert a penalty to make the final score 7-5, but the Emirati will be bitterly disappointed to have played so strongly over two days – scoring 14 goals! – and having no points to show for it.
Brazil make it six points out of six to go top of the group.
Goals: 1-0: Rafinha, min. 9 (1); 2-0: Bokinha, min. 6 (1); 2-1: Walid, min.11 (2); 3-1: Filipe, min.11 (2); 3-2: Walid, min.11 (2); 3-3: Ali, min.11 (2); 3-4: Abbas, min. 0 (2); 4-4: Bokinha, min. 0 (2); 5-4: Rodrigo, min. 10 (3); 6-4: Ahmed S. (OG), min. 2 (3); 7-4: Rodrigo, min. 1 (3); 7-5: Walid, min. 0 (3);
Switzerland 7-3 Morocco
After a thrashing by Brazil in their first game on Friday night, Morocco faced Switzerland, themselves former World Cup finalists, had edged out the UAE in a thrilling game at the same time.
Here, the North Africans went in at the end of the first period with a healthy 1-3 lead, Aboutalbi, Elhadaoui and Fancy all netting after Ott’s opener. Ott then hit the post just before the break but it all went down hill from there for Morocco.
Two quickfire Stankovic penalties without reply brought things level during the second period before the Swiss ran riot in the final stretch. Stankovic completed his hattrick among four Swiss strikes.
By the end, it was a stroll for the Europeans who will be happy with two wins from two before their fixture with favourites, Brazil.
United Arab Emirates, after painfully missing out by the slimmest of margins against some of the world’s top teams, will have one last opportunity at three points against Morocco on Monday.
Goals: 1-0: Aboutalbi, min. 10 (1); 1-1: Ott, min. 9 (1); 1-2: Elhadaoui, min. 7 (1); 1-3: Fanchy, min. 3 (1); 2-3: Stankovic, min. 3 (2); 3-3: Stankovic, min. 2 (2); 4-3: Hodel, min. 10 (3); 5-3: Stankovic, min. 9 (3); 6-3: Borer, min. 4 (3); 7-3: Ott, min. 2 (3)
Group D
Russia 5-3 Uruguay
Despite taking the lead and scoring the goal of the game, Uruguay were condemned to a second consecutive defeat at the World Beach Games here in Qatar.
Pazos Fernandez scored their first, dispossessing the Russian goalkeeper and tapping home after four minutes. Shishin and Makarov both volleyed imperiously past Guerrero, who then saved Paporotniyi’s diving header from close range. The vertiginous Russian was not to be denied for much longer, however.
He rifled in two free kicks before the end of the first period to give the 2011 & 2013 World Cup Winners a lead of some comfort.
Quinta pulled one back before Paporotniyi completed his hat-trick seconds later. Guerrero then kept out a good Russian chance before the interval.
With four minutes remaining, a Uruguay free kick was given inside their half, Quinta’s long run up implied his intentions. From its mound in the sand, the ball endured a blow from the Uruguayan’s left foot and began its short journey past the hand of Bazhenov and into the net via angle of post and bar. It was one of the goals of the tournament thus far, but it proved to be in vain.
At 5-3, there was still a glimmer of a chance for Uruguay, and it manifested itself in a penalty after a foul by Paporotniyi, the man who had done so much to establish Russia’s lead. To his relief, Laens’ effort from the spot was saved by Bazhenov.
Russia held on deservedly. They have powerful goal scorer in Paporotniyi, ably assisted by Shishin, and few at this tournament will be able to stop them.
Goals: 0-1: Pazos Fernandez, min. 7 (1); 1-1: Shishin, min. 7 (1); 2-1: Makarov, min. 7 (1); 3-1: Paporotniyi, min. 4 (1); 4-1: Paporotniyi, min. 0 (1); 4-2: Quinta, min. 10 (2); 5-2: Paporotniyi, min. 9 (2); 5-3: Costa, min. 4 (3)
Japan 4-2 El Salvador
El Salvador had missed out to former world champions Russia the previous day, but had the chance to make up for lost ground with a win against Ruy Ramos’ Japan on matchday 2.
However, with the form the Samurai talisman Ozu was in, it was never going to be an easy task, and the big number ten had his first goal after a matter of moments. But the Salvadorians kept the attacks at bay for the remainder of the opening period.
Oba doubled the Asian champions’ advantage in the dying stages of the next period and a fine hit from Akaguma saw Japan go 3-0 ahead.
El Salvador became more clinical in the final third of the match, as Heber and Agustin netted two great goals to bring the difference back to just one.
Rudis Gallo’s men pushed until the very end but with 35 seconds on the clock, Okuyama put the final nail in the coffin of El Salvador’s medal hopes, pushing Japan in pole position going into the final matchday.
Goals: 1-0: Ozu, min. 11 (1); 2-0: Oba, min. 3 (2); 3-0: Akaguma, min. 1 (2); 3-1: Heber, min. 7 (3); 3-2: Agustin, min. 4 (3); 4-2: Okuyama, min. 0 (3);
Group C
Iran 8(3)-(1)8 Senegal
Both Senegal and Iran had won their games the previous day, but only one could remain undefeated going into the final day, but each fought tooth and nail for the victory making for an incredible spectacle for the gathered supporters.
The 2018 Intercontinental Cup champions struck first though Mokhtari. Senegal pressured but a wondergoal from Akbari extended the Iran lead.
Kiani made it three but Niang got the Lions of Teranga off the mark with two fine hits before the end of the period. The second period didn’t see any more goals thanks to the heroics of the keepers at each end but in the final third, the action really got going once more.
In an extreme acceleration in play, goals flew in faster than the referees could keep track. Amongst the frenzy, Diagne and Diatta bagged braces for Senegal, while Iran’s Mokhtari managed to snatch extra time for his side with seconds on the clock.
Diatta and Kiani scored straight away to keep the score tied at 7-7, and then Diagne polished of a sublime piece of play, thinking that he’d won two precious points for Senegal. But Masoumi was on hand to deny the Lions once more and penalties was the only option left.
From the spot the Iranians held their nerve to put all three of their spotkicks away, while a misskick from Ndoye saw the bitterly disappointed Senegalese drop to their knees in despair.
However, after Paraguay beat Ukraine, Group C remains wide open, who will clinch the semi-final spot?
Goals: 1-0: Mokhtari, min. 9 (1); 2-0: Akbari, min. 8 (1); 3-0: Kiani, min. 2 (1); 3-1: Niang, min. 2 (1); 4-1: Akbari, min. 2 (1); 4-2: Niang, min. 1 (1); 4-3: Diagne, min. 9 (3); 4-4: Diagne, min. 9 (3); 5-4: Kiani, min. 2 (3); 5-5: Diatta, min. 2 (3); 5-6: Diatta, min. 0 (3); 6-6: Mokhtari, min. 0 (3); 6-7: Diatta, min. 2 (ET); 7-7: Kiani, min. 1 (ET); 7-8: Diagne, min. 0 (ET); 8-8: Masoumi, min. 0 (ET);
PSO: 1-0: Ahmadzadeh, scored; 1-0: Ndoye, missed; 2-0: Akbari, scored; 2-1: Fall, scored; 3-1: Kiani, scored;
Paraguay 5-4 Ukraine
The Ukrainians twice held a two-goal lead before their moment of ill-fortune right at the end of this encounter between two teams who had lost their respective opening games.
Pashko bagged a brace either side of an equaliser, the first of a hat-trick, from Carlos Benitez. Zborovskiy scored a third before Benitez netted his second to end the first period at 2-3 Ukraine.
Makeiev, whose first period free kick smacked against the post with Rolon motionless in the South-American goal, scored himself to restore the advantage of two in the only moment of real note in a quiet second period.
Benitez, all night an unwelcome wasp to the Ukrainian picnic, then reduced the arrears again just 48 seconds into the third period from the spot.
Ukraine, who suffered in the later stages on Friday against Iran, retreated and might have applied more pressure to Ojeda as he equalised, but there can be no denying the skill displayed as he tamed a vertical pass with his chest, propelling the ball several feet above his head before performing an acrobatic scissor kick which whizzed past the keeper.
Seven further minutes expired before Ojeda’s next meaningful contribution, but meaningful enough it was to finally decide this exhausting encounter. A dart through midfield allowed him room enough to unleash a ferocious strike which cannoned against the post only to then strike the statuesque Medvid from behind and trickle over the line in the dying moments.
Points for Paraguay but Ukraine’s strong start again remained only that as they surrendered another lead here in Qatar.
Goals: 0-1: Pashko, min. 9 (1); 1-1: Benitez, min. 3 (1); 1-2 Pashko, min. 1 (1); 1-3: Zborovskiy, min. 0 (1); 2-3: Benitez, min. 0 (1); 2-4: Makeiev, min. 0 (2); 3-4: Benitez, min. 11 (3); 4-4: Ojeda, min. 7 (3); 5-4: Medvid (og), min 0 (3)
Group B
Italy 5-3 Mexico
The man who go a hat-trick in the previous day’s fixture against Solomon Islands got the Azzurri off the mark once again, as Gabriele Gori rifled in an opener.
Zurlo, after scoring goal number 100 yesterday, scored number 101 soon after, and Italy had the lead at the break. Gori scored again, this time a screamer, but Maldonado suddenly sprang into action, hitting two quick-fire goals in the space of two minutes.
Vizcarra then pulled the score back to make it 3-3 with a beautiful solo bicycle kick, but an incredible Palmacci effort straight from kick off, meant that Del Duca’s men were ahead going into the third and final round.
Mexico threatened in the but Del Mestre held firm in the Italian goal and Gori looked likely to complete his hat-trick at any moment.
He eventually did with a cute spinning effort, wrapping up the points once and for all, eliminating Mexico from the race for medals.
El Tri will play Solomon Islands tomorrow to see who will finish the group in fourth, while a classic Mediterranean battle sees Italy take on Spain for the semi-final spot.
Goals: 1-0: Gori, min. 8 (1); 2-0: Zurlo, min. 6 (1); 3-0: Gori, min. 11 (2); 3-1: Maldonado, min. 5 (2); 3-2: Maldonado, min. 2 (2); 3-3: Vizcarra, min. 0 (2); 4-3: Palmacci, min. 0 (2); 5-3: Gori, min. 9 (3);
Spain 8-5 Solomon Islands
A trio of braces from Chiky, Edu and reigning Player of the Year, Llorenç helped Spain to a second win of the group stage in what seldom hinted at becoming the kind of tumultuous game seen earlier in the evening between Paraguay and Ukraine.
Spain looked the more comfortable team from the first whistle, and the aforementioned Llorenç and Javi Torres converted that superiority with a goal each at the end of the first period. Edu made it three just after the restart, heading in after Bird in the Islanders’ goal failed to tame a Spanish set piece.
At that juncture, it seemed as though the Spanish would run away with it. Thrashing the Solomon Islands here would have been a welcome statement for La Furia Roja who, despite winning the silver medal at this year’s European Games, have failed to qualify for the 2019 World Cup.
The Pacific Islanders had other ideas and responded immediately through Fa’ari and a Mafane penalty, only for Llorenç to convert a scissor kick after some intricate Iberian interplay. Moments earlier, he had struck the post though he was not to add any further to his tally in this match.
Edu restored the three-goal advantage, but Laua lashed in a left footed free kick to erode at Edu’s newly erected edifice, though the Islanders were to get no nearer than that despite scoring a fourth through Farobo. Chiky crashed the crossbar prior to rounding off the night with the last two strikes of the game and Adri Frutos acrobatically claimed the other.
Another comprehensive victory for Spain with who face Italy in their final group game tomorrow, the team who pipped them to the 2018 European Beach Soccer League title. They will be keen to make amends.
Goals: 1-0: Llorenç, min. 3 (1); 2-0: Javi Torres, min. 1 (1); 3-0: Edu, min. 10 (2); 3-1: Fa’ari, min. 9 (2); 3-2: Mafane, min. 9 (2); 4-2: Llorenç, min. 7 (2); 5-2: Edu, min. 5 (2); 5-3: Laua, min. 1 (2); 6-3: Adri Frutos, min. 10 (3); 6-4: Farobo, min. 8 (3); 7-4: Chiky, min. 5 (3); 8-4: Chiky, min. 3 (3)
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