Favourites set their condition clear in their first match in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011 – Asian Qualifier
Amazing comeback by Bahrain bans the Uzbek surprise
Bahrain banged on the table in the opening game of this FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011 – Asian Qualifier Muscat. But the Arabic needed a dramatic comeback in a devastating second period to turn around the score Uzbekistan had turned really favorable for them, brilliantly making, in just two minutes, an uncomfortable 0-3 into a 4-3 to confirm their status as one of the continent powerhouses.
The first hit by the Uzbek side came rather early, in the seventh minute of the first period, when Elibaev put his side in command. “Ok, no big deal”, should the Bahraini have thought. But that apparently little wound on their skin became deeper when Sharipov raised the 2-0 in the scoreboard. And even more complicated were things to turn up in the beginning of the second period, when the Uzbek number 10 added the second hit to his record today, this time with an amazing missile right into the Bahraini goalmouth. Goalkeeper Sayed could do little more than seeing the ball hit the net.
Just as the match was getting too uphill, Bahrain reacted, and furiously fidgeted to turn the score around in just two minutes, something only great teams are capable of. Darwins, Talal and Rashed, with a true striker move, sending a good counterattack by his team into the net, equalized the score, and seconds afterwards, Talal, with his second hit, clinched the winner for his side, together with the first three points to momentarily head group C.
Goals: 0-1: Elibaev, min. 7 (1); 0-2: Sharipov, min. 9 (1); 0-3: Sharipov, min. 3 (2); 1-3: Darwins, min. 5 (2); 2-3: Talal, min. 5 (2); 3-3: Rasheed, min. 6 (2); 4-3: Talal, min. 6 (2).
China gets ahead in Group B after difficult beginning
Just as Bahrain had to do in the previous match, China also needed a comeback to get the three points and restate their role as one of the favourites to get into the quarterfinals of this FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011 – Asia Qualifier. Silveira’s team, who had not shown today the solidness that turned them into one of the sweetest surprises of the last Asian Beach Games, saw themselves behind the score by mid second period, and needed to gear up not to see their options of getting into next round turn too complicated.
Sadeq put Iraq in command at the very beginning of this match, but Han Xue neutralized the Iraqi hit just four minutes afterwards. The Syrian, as they had publicly stated in the previous days, were not to give up before trying to surprise their opponents in Group A in the quest for one of the places in the Quarterfinals stage, and Hussein immediately restored their advantage.
It was not until the third minute of the second period that China would be able to equalize the score again, thanks to Gui Qui Xuan. This time, though, they managed to turn it around, with a second hit by Han Xue, and got things ready to finish the game in the last period, with two new goals by Gui Qui Xuan and Qui Hao.
Goals: 0-1: Sadeq, min. 2 (1); 1-1: Han Xue, min. 6 (1); 1-2: Hussein, min. 8 (1) ; 2-2: Gui Qui Xuan, min. 3 (2) ; 3-2 : Han Xue, min. 5 (2); 4-2: Gui Qui Xuan, min. 9 (3); 5-2: Qiu Hao, min. 12 (3)
UAE gives Indonesia no chance despite early fright (1-6)
Very few expected the beginning of this Indonesia-UAE to be as it was. Despite the apparent difference between both teams, with the Arabian placed amongst the strongest teams in the world and the Indonesian as a young, spirited team, it was the latter who hit first. Dwipayudha rocketed the ball inside UAE’s net in the very first seconds, to give the script of this match an unexpected touch, and urging Mendes’ squad to think about the equalizer before placing their look any beyond.
And it was not that easy for them at the beginning, although Walid and Adel managed to turn the score around before the end of the first period, warranting a more placid break. After that convulse first moments, UAE stuck to their role and dominated the match, distributing their hits to absolutely disarm the Indonesian expectations. Two goals in the second period, by Karim and Ahmed, and another two in the last stage, with Karim repeating and Humaid adding his name to the chart, placed the current Asian Champions at the top of group C, due to a higher goal difference than Bahrain.
Goals: 1-0 : Dwipayudha, min. 1 (1) ; 1-1 : Walid, min. 7 (1) ; 1-2: Adel, min. 9 (1) ; 1-3 : Karim, min. 1 (2); 1-4: R. Ahmed, min. 7 (2); 1-5: Karim, min. 4 (3); 1-6: Humaid, min. 8 (3).
Japan heads for the Quarterfinals
After a solid victory over Syria (9-4), the Nippon have appointed themselves as one of the candidates for one of the three slots to the upcoming FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011. Although the match was leveled at some points, Japan knew how to place an effective distance to their opponents to not let them too close after the 2-2.
Ruy Ramos’ left few traces of weakness and strong signals of commitment during the first period, in which they stepped ahead with a 2-0 in the first ten minutes. Syria counteracted, and managed to get even a mid-second-period equalizer. But that was their closest moment to the points, since Japan geared up to quickly achieve a two goal cushion again. Although Syria managed the 4-3 at the beginning of the third stage, the Nippon were in the mood of finishing the game, running to a blunt 7-3. That was obviously too much for the Syrian, who even found a severe reply to their enthusiasm after the 7-4, taking two more goals by the oriental side.
Goals: 1-0: Yamauchi, min. 5 (1); 2-0: Take, min. 2 (1); 2-1: O. Akil, min. 10 (1); 2-2: Arnaout, min. 5 (2); 3-2: Take, min. 5 (2); 4-2: Take, min. 10 (2); 4-3: Shatta, min. 2 (3); 5-3: Oda, min. 5 (3); 6-3: Yamauchi, min. 6 (3); 7-3: Tabata, min. 9 (3); 7-4: Nassif, min. 9 (3); 8-4: Tabata, min. 9 (3); 9-4: Yamauchi, min. 11 (3).
Oman are stronger in the goal feast
Hosts Oman placed their options to become a World Cup team after a superb match in this opening matchday in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011 – Asian Qualifier. The Omani emerged as the strongest in the hit exchange which turned the game against Kuwait into a wonderful spectacle, considering the quality of the goals witnessed as well.
Things seemed to be strong fated at the beginning of the match, when Talib’s lads achieved a clear 0-3 advantage thanks to the goals by Jalal (2) and Is’haq. Besides, when Kuwait tried to cut the gap, they found a new reply by the Omani, with Haitham this time taking the best advantage of a free kick. The situation was experienced by the Kuwaiti again, when after getting a third goal, found themselves 3-6 down by the end of the second period.
That state of grace by the Omani seemed to run out by the beginning of the last period, something Kuwait took advantage of to equalize the score during the first five minutes. Things had turned much more dangerous than anyone could expect for Oman, and it was not until the last three minutes that Yahya came to the rescue to score twice and give his team their first three points to follow China at the top of Group A.
Goals: 0-1: Jalal, min. 3 (1); 0-2: Ish’Haq, min. 4 (1); 0-3: Jalal, min. 7 (1) ; 1-3 : Alsafi, min. 9 (1) ; 1-4 : Haitham, min. 10 (1) ; 2-4 : Alsaqer, min. 11 (1) ; 3-4, Alsafi min. 1 (2) ; 3-5 : Yaqoob, min. 8 (2); 3-6: Al Zaabi, min. 9 (2); 4-6: Is’haq (o.g.), min. 2 (3); 5-6: Aleid, min. 4 (3); 6-6: Alsuqer, min. 5 (3); 6-7: Yahya, min. 9 (3); 6-8: Yahya min. 11 (3)
Results & Match Schedule
DAY 1 – 27/02/2011
12:00 Bahrain 4 x 3 Uzbekistan
Followed by China 5 x 2 Iraq
Followed by Indonesia 1 x 6 UAE
Followed by Japan 9 x 4 Syria
Followed by Kuwait 6 X 8 Oman
DAY 2 – 28/02/2011
12:00 China 4 x 1 Kuwait
Followed by Bahrain 5 x 2 Indonesia
Followed by Iran 5 x 0 Syria
Followed by UAE 2 x 1 Uzbekistan
Followed by Oman 11 x 3 Iraq
DAY 3 – 01/03/2011
12:00 Uzbekistan vs Indonesia
Followed by Iraq vs Kuwait
Followed by UAE vs Bahrain
Followed by Japan vs Iran
Followed by Oman vs China
