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European sides dominate as World Beach Games get underway in Doha
Just one goal marked the difference between many of the day’s match, one of which was a ridiculous game between Switzerland and UAE which featured no less than 19 goals.
Elsewhere, Italy, Iran, Senegal and Russia struggled initially against their opponents but took three points in the end.
It was also an historic day for two players as Senegal’s star keeper, Al Seyni, marked his 100th cap with a clean sheet, and Ozu scored his 100th goal for Japan…as well as his 101st and 102nd!
The action got underway in Group B…
Group B
Solomon Islands 5-8 Italy
Solomon Islands kicked off, with an elaborate routine concluding with an ambitious volley which sailed wide. Their confident possession play was in evidence early on while Italy’s main threat came from a likely source.
Gabriele Gori was top scorer in the Mediterranean games and the European Beach Soccer League and he looked hungry here in the opening stages.
His fourth attempted overhead kick flew high past the goalkeeper before striking the net in emphatic fashion for the first goal of the game, only for Mafane to equalise almost immediately afterwards.
Corosiniti headed in at the back post and Zurlo’s free kick deceived Hale in goal to give the Italians a 1st period lead that in fairness, flattered them. It was not however, the cue for an avalanche of further Azzurri goals.
Gori extended the Italian lead only for Mafane to again pull one back as Solomon Islands refused to go down without a fight. Fa’ari, Laua, Palmacci and Percia Montani exchanged goals before Solomon Islands saw a penalty saved to leave the score at 4-6 going into the final period.
Gori scored another overhead kick late in the third period to finally and definitively take the game away from Solomon Islands, although Muri did hit the post seconds prior to that. Italy will be glad to have survived a tricky assignment but can rest assured that their performances will have to improve if their designs on winning the Gold Medal are to become reality.
Goals: 0-1: Gori, min. 3 (1); 1-1: Mafane, min. 3 (1); 1-2: Corosiniti, min. 2 (1); 1-3: Zurlo, min. 1 (1); 1-4: Gori, min. 10 (2); 2-4: Mafane, min. 8 (2); 3-4: Fa’ari, min. 8 (2); 3-5: Palmacci, min. 7 (2); 4-5: Laua, min. 6 (2); 4-6: Percia Montani, min. 4 (2); 4-7: Palmacci, min. 2 (3); 5-7: Laua, min. 1 (3); 5-8: Gori, min. 1 (3)
Spain 9-3 Mexico
After a close first period, Spain swept aside their Mexican rivals with nine goals to take all three points.
It was a fine hit form Domi that got the match underway in the fourth minute of play. Chiky soon added a second, but a Rodriguez freekick brought Mexico back to 2-1 just before the first whistle.
Javi Torres turned in from close range early in the next period, and then a sublime Adri Frutos freekick made it four.
La Roja built their advantage as the match progressed but a quick-fire double from Vizcarra saw Mexico pull the tie back to 5-3. It looked as if Mexico had turned the momentum of the game in the other direction as they scented blood and pressure for more.
However, that would be the end of their goal-scoring, as Edu, Llorenç and Antonio managed to get their names on the scoresheet before the final whistle, to take a decisive victory on their opening day in Qatar with nine goals.
A comfortable win against the Concacaf champions, but the journey to a World Beach Games medal has just begun for these teams.
Goals: 1-0: Domi, min. 8 (1); 2-0: Chiky, min. 6 (1); 2-1: Rodriguez, min. 0 (1); 3-1: Javi Torres, min. 9 (2); 4-1: Adri Frutos, min. 3 (2); 5-1: Javi Torres, min. 11 (3); 5-2: Vizcarra, min. 10 (3); 6-2: Edu, min. 8 (3); 6-3: Vizcarra, min. 5 (3); 7-3: Chiky, min. 5 (3); 8-3: Llorenç, min. 3 (3); 9-3: Antonio, min. 0 (3);
Group C
Ukraine 4-5 Iran
An inspired comeback saw the 2018 Intercontinental Champions turn around a 4-1 scoreline to beat Ukraine.
A Ukraine which played a good portion of this encounter in an assertive fashion were left reeling after a steady Iranian comeback built to a crescendo in the third period.
After cohesively constructing a 4-1 lead through Glutskiy, Zborovskiy, whose second goal was typically spectacular, and Shcherytsia, the 2016 European Beach Soccer League champions contrived to relinquish that well-earned privilege.
Akbari had levelled proceedings at 1-1 early on, but it wasn’t until 8 minutes into the second period that Iran added some substance to the notion of anything other than a Ukraine win.
Mokhtari, just seconds after having a free kick saved, netted a stylish effort to make it 4-2 at the end of the second. He might have done better with his set piece but his glancing header set the stage for more drama.
Not more than a minute after the restart, a third Iran goal was tapped in after a scrappy passage of play which seemingly took the remaining wind from Ukrainian sails.
Iran’s Kianiharchegani and Ukraine’s Shcherytsia traded acrobatic if inaccurate attempts, while also causing some considerable distress to commentators, before two goals in less than a minute flipped the score on its head. Shirmohammadi gave his team their second equaliser, but their was still time for Mokhtari to complete the comeback.
By the conclusion, Ukraine seemed to have simply expended their reserves, scarcely mounting a credible attack after falling behind. The 2018 Intercontinental Cup winners Iran, with Akbari and both keepers also impressing, have shown here in their opening game that they are made of stern stuff.
Goals: 1-0: Glutskyi, min. 11 (1); 1-1: Akbari, min. 6 (1); 2-1: Zborovskiy, min. 5 (1); 3-1: Zborovskiy, min. 3 (1); 4-1: Shcherytsia, min. 0 (1); 4-2: Mokhtari, min. 4 (2); 4-3: Ahmedzadeh, min. 11 (3); 4-4: Shirmohammadi, min. 5 (3); 4-5: Mokhtari, min. 5 (3)
Paraguay 0-3 Senegal
Two sides who would appear in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Paraguay in a matter of weeks met in their opening match in the Qatari capital, but for now, their attention remained fixed on the gold medal in Doha.
It was an historic day in their first game of the World Beach Games as the Senegalese shot-stopper, El Senyi, celebrated his 100th appearance for his country, and as a nice way to mark it, he managed to keep a clean sheet against the threatening Albirroja.
The match was surprisingly low-scoring considering the firepower in each selection, but despite the fact that the Senegalese pressed and possibly enjoyed the lions’ share of possession, the score remained untouched until deep into the very last period.
Diassy was the one who finally opened the scoring for the African champions with a fine finish. But it didn’t take long for them to find the net a second time, when Diouf struck.
There was just time for them to add number three when Diagne wrapped up the three points once and for all with a third goal, as the disappointed world cup hosts will go into Sunday’s match against Russia in search of their first points.
Senegal go top of Group C, and are set to face 2018 Intercontinental Cup champions, Iran.
Goals: 0-1: Diassy, min. 9 (3); 0-2: Diouf, min. 7 (3); 0-3: Diagne, min. 2 (3);
Group D
El Salvador 2-4 Russia
The Salvadorans had a tough test in their opening fixture against former world champions Russia, but they held their own in the first period.
As soon as Paporotnyi struck for Russia, Perdomo, who has been a key up-and-coming member of La Selecta this season, powered in an equalizer.
Makarov cruelly snatched the lead back from the Central Americans with seconds of the opening period left, and Russia lead going into the next period.
In the second stage, El Salvador pushed the Russians back, who found themselves unable to extend their lead, while a sweet Velasquez finish meant that the sides went into the final period all square.
It was this moment that Russia chose to move into a superior gear, and Makarov’s second, along with a nice strike from Nikonorov wrapped up the points for Mikhail Likhachev’s men.
They will now play Uruguay on Sunday whilst El Salvador face Japan.
Goals: 0-1: Paporotnyi, min. 10 (1);1-1: Perdomo, min. 7 (1); 1-2: Makarov, min. 0 (1); 2-2: Velasquez, min. 6 (2); 2-3: Makarov, min. 11 (3); 2-4: Nikonorov, min. 9 (3);
Japan 7-2 Uruguay
Japan had fended off all of their Asian opponents, and made it to this year’s FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, this season, but before travelling to Paraguay, they had their sights on gold in Qatar.
Uruguay faced a tough test in their opening game, and when Okuymama found himself one on one with the keeper to open the scoring for the Samurai midway through the first period, the task immediately looked more difficult.
The advantage was doubled when the number 11 found the net once again, and Japan lead at the break. That lead was extended in the second period when Ozu, inevitably, got his name on the scoresheet.
His next strike, however, was his 100th in a Japan short, and the team had a special celebration with a pre-prepared shirt. Miranda managed to get Uruguay off the mark but Japan were running riot and a contender for goal of the tournament saw Akaguma place a powerful overhead into the top corner from distance.
Going into the final period, Japan didn’t take their foot off the gas and Ozu pushed his personal tally to four with two more fine hits.
Capurro managed consolation number two for the well-beaten South Americans, but the points went decisively to Ruy Ramos’ Samurai warriors.
Goals: 1-0: Komaki, min. 7 (1); 2-0: Komaki, min. 5 (1); 3-0: Ozu, min. 9 (2); 3-1: Miranda, min. 4 (2); 4-1: Ozu, min. 3 (2); 5-1: Akaguma, min. 11 (3); 6-1: Ozu, min. 8 (3); 7-1: Ozu, min. 4 (3); 7-2: Capurro, min. 2 (3);
Group A
Morocco 1-9 Brazil
Morocco finished second at the African Beach Games in Sal this year, and as such, went into the competition with some confidence.
Brazil, the favourites for the tournament, had scored in this one before a Moroccan had touched the ball, Catarino volleying past Souary after Rodrigo’s flick.
The Canarinha continued to set the early running; smooth exchanges, individual trickery and committed defending were all part of a vintage Brazil showing in the first period. Mauricinho’s ‘’no look’’ finish after rounding the keeper was a particular highlight. By the break, it was 0-4 Brazil, and despite their best efforts, Morocco looked to be struggling.
The theme continued in slightly less vivid technicolour in the second period. Antonio and Mauricinho again extended the South-American lead but Brazil were at times careless in possession or lax defensively. It goes some way to show the level of this Brazil team that the second-best team in Africa still scarcely had a look in.
The third period brought something seldom even hinted at in the first two. Elhadaoui scored a consolation for Morocco with the score at 0-8, but there remained time for Rodrigo to add a ninth and final goal for the Selecao.
That confirmed an expected win for the number one ranked side in the world, but for Morocco, this was a chastening experience after their continental performance earlier this year. They can take some solace from the likelihood that they won’t be the only ones to suffer at the hands of Brazil.
The best team in the world gave us the best performance of this opening day of matches. Despite Russia inflicting an upset on them in Dubai last year, this pertinent question remains, who can stop Brazil?
Goals: 0-1: Catarino, min. 0 (1); 0-2: Mauricinho, min. 6 (1); 0-3: Rodrigo, min.5 (1); 0-4: Catarino, min.3 (1); 0-5: Antonio, min. 8 (2); 0-6: Mauricinho, min. 6 (2); 0-7: Datinha, min. 9 (3); 0-8: Mauricinho, min. 3 (3); 1-8: Elhadaoui, min. 2 (3); 1-9: Rodrigo, min. 0 (3).
Switzerland 10-9 UAE
Two very different but top-level beach soccer sides clashed on the sand of Qatar, as Switzerland took on UAE.
It only took a matter of minutes for UAE to get off the mark, as Ali struck to give them the lead. But Switzerland hit an equalizer thanks to a blistering strike from Noel Ott.
A game of impressive goals continued as Waleed B. hit a second for Akmaazi’s to snatch the lead before the whistle and the tight match-up picked up where it left off in the second period…and then some!
In an absolute goalfest the flood gates opened and within the first half of the second period, the match jumped to 6-4 to Switzerland, thanks in part to a hat-trick from Noel Ott.
Keeper Eliott then sent a rocket past his opposite number to make it seven to Angelo Schirinizi’s men, but in the dying minutes of the second period, Waleed Salem also netted a hat-trick and Ali Karim took two, taking the score to an incredible 7-7 going into the final break!
Abbas edged the Emirati ahead at the start of the last period, but Stankovic was on hand to pull it back once more. A late Spacca proved the difference between the sides as one of the longest normal-time beach soccer matches ever finished with the scoreline at an unbelievable 10-9!
What a way to round off the day…
Goals: 0-1: Ali, min. 9 (1); 1-1: Ott, min. 7 (1); 1-2: Waleed B., min. 0 (1); 1-3: Ali Karim, min. 11 (2); 2-3: Stankovic, min. 9 (2); 3-3: Walid (OG), min. 8 (2); 4-3: Ott, min. 8 (2); 5-3: Ostgen, min. 7 (2); 5-4: Haitham, min. 7 (2); 6-4: Ott, min. 6 (2); 7-4: Eliott, min. 4 (2); 7-5: Waleed B., min. 2 (2); 7-6: Ali Karim, min. 1 (2); 7-7: Waleed B., min. 0 (2); 7-8: Abbas, min. 11 (3); 8-8: Stankovic, min. 6 (3); 9-8: Hodel., min. 0 (3); 10-8: Hodel., min. 0 (3); 10-9: Spacca., min. 3 (3);
Stay up-to-date on the ANOC World Beach Games Qatar 2019 on the Beach Soccer Worldwide website.
