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Oman, Iran, UAE and Japan reach the semifinals of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011 ? Asian Qualifier
The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011 – Asian Qualifier has already come to its most decisive day. With four teams into the semifinals (Oman, Iran, UAE and Japan) the first two tickets to Ravenna will be sorted tomorrow. Winners will secure their place in the upcoming World Cup, and losers will have a second chance on Friday, with the 3rd and 4th place final.
The semifinal’s schedule goes as follows
15.45 – UAE vs. Japan
Followed by – Iran vs. Oman
These were the results in today’s quarterfinal matches:
Iran 5-3 Uzbekistan
Japan 6-2 Bahrain
UAE 5-1 China
Oman 5-2 Syria
Iran edges combative Uzbekistan for a place in semifinals
Iran will be one of the four teams to fight for one ticket for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011 Ravenna/Italy, after their victory today against surprising Uzbekistan. Actually, up to this point it is not that accurate to tag the Uzbek side as a surprise team, since they have shown quite much in this Asian Qualifier so far. Not enough, though, to catch the powerful Iranian side and snatch them one slot into the semifinals.
Uzbekistan jumped onto the sand with the full conviction that they were going to battle current Asian Beach Games Bronze medalists until the end. And they did, indeed. First, by not allowing any Persian chance in during the first period, and afterwards, stepping ahead in the score in the opening of the second one. Samegov’s excellent attempt meant the confirmation of the Uzbek danger, and proved the Iranian that it was not to be a pleasant afternoon for them… Abdollahi, though, balanced the score shortly afterwards, and helped his team reach the second break 1-1.
The third period had the goals the two previous ones had lacked, and as it is rather common when Iran is on the pitch, it tends to be white coloured. Dadashzadeh’s side counteracted again the Uzbek goal to not only equalize the game with an amazing overhead kick by star Azmadzadeh but to build up a two goal distance with only three minutes to go. That was not enough, though, to shutter the blue spirit. Uzbekistan kept pushing until they managed a 4-3 which gave way for everything to happen in the last seconds. Although they kept looking for a last-breath equalizer, it was Iran the ones to close the game with Hassani’s second hit.
Goals: 0-1: Samegov, min. 1 (2); 1-1: Abdollahi, min. 3 (2); 1-2: Azizov, min. 2 (3); 2-2: Ahmadzadeh, min. 4 (3); 3-2: Mesigar, min. 5 (3). 4-2: Hassani, min. 9 (3). 4-3: Samegov, min. 12 (3); 5-3: Hassani, min. 12 (3).
Japan wants to be back
Two teams that took part in the last FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, held in Dubai in 2009, faced today in the Asian Qualifier for the 2011 edition: Bahrain and Japan. And both of them knew that only one would earn the chance to be in Ravenna next September. The Nippon won that chance, with an authority display over the Bahraini that proves they want to get rid with any doubt around their shape, and an excellent and effective Beach Soccer.
One of the Japanese target men, Yamauchi, was in charge of opening the game and advancing his side, with Arakaki to follow for the 2-0 right after the beginning of the second period, with a brilliant personal move. Japan was on the right track to the semifinals, and Bahrain was not finding the way to their opponent’s net, although they began trying harder after that second slap. But Japan knew how to take the most of that advantage and Take profited a free kick to place the ball out of Salah’s reach with a firm but subtle left-foot kick. 3-0.
Whereas Rasheed’s aim seemed not accurate enough today, Arakaki proved that his right foot was perfectly calibrated, and with a new consistent shot raised the 4-0. If things were getting hard for Guga’s side, compatriot Ruy Ramos on the other bench saw things in a really different mood, and even better it was to get with Oda’s 5-0. The Gulf side tried to get back onto the game, and Rasheed finally found the inspiration, with two goals, but it was too late at that time for him and his team, who will need to wait for the next edition to retake their place as a World Cup team.
Goals: 1-0: Yamauchi, min. 6 (1); 2-0: Arakaki, min. 1 (2); 3-0: Take, min. 5 (2); 4-0: Arakaki, min. 9 (2); 5-0: Oda, min. 10 (2); 5-1: Rasheed, min. 1 (3). 5-2: Rasheed, min. 6 (3). 6-2: Yamauchi, min. 12 (3)
UAE asserts its continental throne against China
The United Arab Emirates are not for letting anyone doubt about their hierarchy, and they smashed another of the Continental powerhouses, China, to authoritarily get into the this FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011 Asian Qualifier with the best sensations. Indeed, Marcelo Mendes’s team would do it the sooner the better, and just in the kick-off move, Karim swept his side ahead. That was the beginning of a devastating first period by the Arabian, who completed a goal poker in the first seven minutes to make things really uphill for the Chinese.
But China started the second period just as their opponents had done in the first one, making people believe that we could experience a totally different second quarter, with the Chinese counteracting the crushing first minutes by the Arabian. Even though, Mendes’s side would not allow them do so, and with smart beach soccer and a great tactical disposition, closed the gates of their goal and gave little chance to Silveira’s team. Chinese forces began vanishing gradually as the final horn was getting closer, and it seemed there was not room for much more in the game. Notwithstanding, Adel kept a present for all those following the game, and just seconds after the final horn, connected a lovely overhead kick to pull the curtains in the most unforgettable way to this quarterfinal fixture.
Now, Japan awaits in the semifinal. The winner of that match will earn their place in the upcoming FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011 Ravenna Italy. The loser will have a second chance, in the 3rd/4th place final.
Goals: 1-0: Karim, min. 1 (1); 2-0: Ahmed, min. 3 (1); 3-0: Karim, min. 4 (1); 4-0: Karim, min. 7 (1); 4-1: Qui H, min. 1 (2); 5-1: Adel, min. 12 (3)
Oman will not miss their appointment
Oman could not stay outside of the race for the World Cup tickets. Such a competitive squad, and playing in front of their crowd in the Al Musannah Sports City, could not afford any stumble when being that close to the decisive moments. And they did not. With a solid victory over Syrian (5-2), hosts earned their place in tomorrow’s semifinals, in which they will get the first chance of clinching one of the slots to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011 Ravenna/Italy.
Local star Yahya pointed the way for his side, when sweeping them ahead in the seventh minute of the game. Things were on the right track, but Syria managed to counteract in the very following move, with Nassif sending a precise missile from the kick-off after the Omani goal for the 1-1. Talib’s side found it difficult to focus back again on their opponent’s goal after that unexpected stroke and first period ended without any new movement in the score.
But the break agreed with Oman, and they managed to get hold of the match with a four goal run that almost killed any chance for the Syrian. Rajub’s lads could only give a last signal of energy with Al Najjar’s attempt two minutes before the final horn, but that was far not enough to dream about turning the game around, and hosts will be at the semifinals tomorrow. Iran is their last barrier to the final.
Goals: 1-0: Yahya, min. 7 (1); 1-1: Nassif, min. 7 (1). 2-1: Is’haq, min. 6 (2); 3-1: Jalal, min. 8 (2); 4-1: Yahya, min. 8 (2) ; Jalal, min. 3 (3) ; 5-2 : Al Najjar, min. 10 (3)
