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Spain and Great Britain make the final in Qatar as Brazil and Russia set to battle for bronze
We are down to the final two at the first edition of the World Beach Games in Qatar.
A thrilling tie between Team GB and Brazil got the day underway on Katara Beach, while and equally tight bout saw Spain down Russia to make the final.
Sarah Kempson and keeper Hannah Haughton starred for the British while a late Carla header won La Roja the second spot in the golden final.
Semi-finals
Great Britain 6-5 Brazil
It was the first time that these players had faced each other on the international stage, and the stakes couldn’t have been higher, as a win today guaranteed at least a silver or gold medal.
Great Britain took some early shots but they flew high and wide while the Brazilian number six, Nayara, took the first sniff the women in yellow had, smashing home the opener from the left flank.
Adriele added another from close range a minute later and Northeast’s side were trailing by two after a matter of minutes. Then, a freekick in a seemingly harmless position was pounded into the top corner by the British captain Sarah Kempson in one of the goals of the whole tournament.
However, another incredible volleyed overhead from Dani saw Brazil restore a two-goal cushion. But one of the new recruits in the Team GB squad, ex-Tottenham player Wendy Martin, towered above the Brazil defense to nod home, making it 2-3.
Brazil lead by two again as the first whistle blew thanks to a Lorena penalty. More wayward shots flew past each goalframe, and the scoreboard remained unchanged until the third period.
A fifth came for Brazil as Jasna spun into space to convert, but a brilliant Gemma Hillier bicycle kick, and then another header from Martin, saw Team GB reduce the deficit to 4-5. Martin then put away a penalty to complete her hat-trick and draw level.
If Kempson’s first goal was impressive, the second eclipsed even that, a stunning freekick from her own area, bouncing in off the upright in the final minute.
The action didn’t stop there though, as Hannah Haughton had to save two late set pieces to keep the British ahead but the whistle finally went and the fans in the stands went wild.
Silver or gold in the bag for Team GB, while the heartbroken Brazilians will have to fight for the bronze.
Goals: 0-1: Nayara, min. 10 (1); 0-2: Adriele, min. 9 (1); 1-2: Kempson, min. 3 (1); 1-3: Dani, min. 3 (1); 2-3: Martin, min. 2 (1); 2-4: Lorena, min. 0 (1); 2-5: Jasna, min. 10 (3); 3-5: Hillier, min. 8 (3); 4-5: Martin, min. 7 (3); 6-5: Kempson, min. 0 (3);
Spain 3-2 Russia
This match-up between the world’s top two women’s beach soccer sides was a well-rehearsed one, as the last two finals of the European championships have been fought between Spain and Russia, and the World Beach Games semi-final proved to be another close affair…
Russia drew first blood through an unlucky own goal for keeper Laura. Zaitseva then made it two with a fine strike, but Fresneda, who has been in prolific goal-scoring form in Qatar, pulled La Roja back to 1-2 before the break.
After early Russian domination, the flow of the match had balanced up and with just a minute of the second period to play, Carol Glez converted a confident penalty to level the game up.
The teams returned to the sand for the final 12 minutes level pegging, and the stalemate continued at 2-2 with the frame of the goal and two keepers to thank.
But a breakthrough came when Spaniard keeper Laia blasted a longshot that Carla stretched to nod out of the reach of the waiting Akylbaeva, and into the net.
There were still four minutes to play, a long time in beach soccer, but Mendez’s players did well to keep the opposition attackers at bay.
The final whistle eventually went and as the Russians hung their heads in disappointment, the Spanish bench erupted in elation. They will face Great Britain in another of Europe’s classic head to heads for the gold.
Brazil await Russia in the bronze medal play-off.
Goals: 0-1: Laura (OG), min. 10 (1); 0-2: Zaitseva, min. 8 (1); 1-2: Fresneda, min. 2 (1); 2-2: Carol Glez, min. 1 (2); 3-2: Carla, min. 4 (3);
16.10.2019
16:00 – Brazil v Russia (Women’s Bronze Medal)
19:00 – Great Britain v Spain (Women’s Gold Medal)
Stay up-to-date on the ANOC World Beach Games Qatar 2019 on the Beach Soccer Worldwide website.
