Japan score seven to knock Qatar out while Bahrain and Oman also win to claim a place in the quarter-finals
The fates of the teams in Group C were decided as wins for Japan and Bahrain see them make it to the next round while Oman win to qualify from Group D.
As a result of these matches, Iraq, Qatar and Kuwait join the list of teams whose FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup hopes are dashed.
Kuwait 2-5 Bahrain (Group C)
Bahrain defeated Kuwait to make it two wins out of two and secure their place in the quarter-finals with one group game still to go.
In their second match of the tournament, Bahrain opened the scoring early when Abbas found the net after five minutes. Kuwait battled to find an equalizer, which eventually came part-way through the second period, just past the match’s half-way point.
However, there was an immediate response and no sooner had Kuwait leveled when Jamal struck to restore the Bahraini lead, and take the score to 1-2.
As the game neared its conclusion, a flurry of three goals in a single minute saw Bahrain take a 2-4 lead, thanks in part, to an own goal from Alhamad. Salman found the net to make it five to Bahrain and secure them passage into the next round.
Kuwait are now unable to qualify for the quarter-finals, but will play Qatar to fight for Group C’s third place.
Oman 6-3 Iraq (Group D)
Oman shattered World Cup dreams for Iraq by handing them a 6-3 defeat, and sealing themselves passage to the quarter-finals.
Abdullah Salim poked home the opener for Oman in the second minute of play, and not long after, Khalid Aloraimi doubled the advantage. Moghaddam’s men had a response though, and managed to end the first period with the score at 2-1.
Oman upped their game in the second period, as both Abdullah Salim and Khalid Aloraimi netted for a second time, and Sami Al Bulushi also got his name on the scoresheet.
Despite two late Iraq goals, the Omanis were too far ahead and took the three points to secure their place in the next round, and will play Iran to see who finishes Group D on top.
Qatar 1-7 Japan (Group C)
Seven goals helped Japan have their place in the next round assured, as they knock Qatar out of the AFC Beach Soccer Championship.
Although the one-sided scoreline wouldn’t suggest it, it was actually the Qataris who started the stronger of the two, opening the scoring with just a minute of the first 12 to go.
But somehow, Qatar allowed themselves to fall behind before the first whistle, as goals from Ozu and Yamauchi handed Ruy Ramos’ men a 1-2 lead. In the second period the Japanese were imperious, scoring goal after goal, as Okuyama Masanori and Ozu completed braces and the advantage was extended to 1-6.
Shusei Yamauchi, who had netted a hat-trick against Kuwait in the previous match, headed in a seventh to wrap the points up, and confirm that precious place amongst the final eight teams.
Stay up-to-date on the results, fixtures and standings of the AFC Beach Soccer Championship on the BSWW website.
RESULTS:
Thursday 7th March:
Lebanon 5-3 China (Group B)
Afghanistan 3-2 Malaysia *AET (Group A)
UAE 6-1 Kyrgyz Republic (Group B)
Thailand 2-5 Palestine (Group A)
Friday 8th March:
Bahrain 5-2 Qatar (Group C)
Iraq 2-5 IR Iran (Group D)
Japan 8-1 Kuwait (Group C)
Saturday 9th March:
Kyrgyz Republic 2-11 Lebanon (Group B)
Palestine 3-2 Afghanistan (Group A)
Chine PR 2-6 UAE (Group B)
Malaysia 5-4 Thailand (Group A)
Sunday 10th March:
Kuwait 2-5 Bahrain (Group C)
Oman 6-3 Iraq (Group D)
Qatar 1-7 Japan (Group C)
FIXTURES
Monday 11th March:
UAE v Lebanon (Group B)
China PR v Kyrgyz Republic (Group B)
Malaysia v Palestine (Group A)
Thailand v Afghanistan (Group A)
Tuesday 12th March:
Japan v Bahrain (Group C)
Iran v Oman (Group D)
Qatar v Kuwait (Group C)
Wednesday 13th March:
REST DAY
Thursday 14th March:
Quarter-final
Quarter-final
Quarter-final
Quarter-final
Friday 15th March:
Semi-final
Semi-final
Saturday 16th March:
REST DAY
Sunday 17th March:
Third-place play-off
FiNAL
