Quarterfinals set up after last league day

Oman, Bahrain, UAE, China, Japan, Iran, Syria and Uzbekistan get onto next round in the Asian Qualifier

Eight teams have found the door open to the quarterfinals stage of this FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011 – Asia Qualifier Muscat: Oman, Bahrain, UAE, China, Japan, Iran, Syria and Uzbekistan. After a dramatic last group stage matchday, those who were polled to get onto the following stage did not betray those expectations, and other surprises like Uzbekistan or Syria have come with them.

The Quarterfinals schedule goes as follows:

These are the results of today’s games

DAY 3 – 01/03/2011

12:00              Uzbekistan 7-3 Indonesia

Followed by  Iraq 5-4 Kuwait

Followed by  UAE 4-1 Bahrain

Followed by  Japan 4-5 Iran

Followed by  Oman 1-0 China

Uzbekistan get rid of tireless Indonesia in crushing third quarter

That Indonesia, despite not being in the polls for the higher places, was a really uncomfortable team to play against was something that had already been set clear. It was the turn for Uzbekistan to feel it themselves, in the last league stage match for these two contenders. The Uzbek could finally bend their opponents to get the ticket to the quarterfinals thanks to a devastating third quarter, in which a 4 goal run secured them their first three points.

Uzbekistan deserved a win after having set such a battle to the biggest guys in group C, Bahrain and UAE, to which they lost only one goal down. But Indonesia was not for letting them seize this price, as they were thinking in placing themselves as one of the privileged thirds, and equalized up to three times the Uzbek advantage, to reach the second break 3-3. But the latter period saw Sattorov, Sharipov and Anorov complete their doubles to boost their team four goals up.

Goals: 1-0: Anorov, min. 4 (1); 1-1: July, min. 6 (1); 2-1: Sattorov, min. 9 (1); 2-2: Darmasuta, min. 4 (2); Sattorov, min. 10 (2); 3-3: Metrajaya, min. 10 (2); 4-3: Sharipov, min. 2 (3); 5-3: Sharipov, min. 3 (3); 6-3: Anorov, min. 6 (3); 7-3: Sharipov,

Fruitless extra-time victory for Iraq

Iraq and Kuwait have set a dramatic fight in their last chance to get into the quarterfinals from group A, but unfortunately for both contenders, none of them get onto next round, not even Iraq, who although earning two points with an extra time winner, see themselves out due to the higher average attributed to Syria in 3-contenders group B.

Although trying to get in command of the game, continuously stepping ahead in the score time after time, Kuwait felt the tiredness of their two previous matches, in which they needed a lot of effort to face Oman and China, two teams that have their place in the next round secured at this moment. This is something neither Kuwait nor Iraq will be able to say, since they have been left out of the road after Iraq turned around the score in the last period.

Things looked like too difficult for Kuwait when Sadeq raised the 4-3 by mid third period. It seemed that they would not be able to counteract this time, but the Kuwaiti star today, Aljaser, managed a late equalizer to send the game into extra time. And just when the match was almost heading for the penalty shootout, Hussein clinched the two points for Iraq.

Goals: 0-1: Aljaser, min. 6 (1); 1-1: Hussein, min. 7 (1); 2-1: Aljaser, min. 12 (1);  2-2: Hussein, min. (2); 3-2: Alsafi, min. 5 (2); 3-3: Hussein, min. 6 (2) ; 4-3 : Sadeq, min  (3) ; 4-4 : Aljaser, min. 11 (3) ;  5-4 : Hussein, min. 3 (et)

UAE confirm great shape against Bahrain

Two Gulf powerhouses, Bahrain and the UAE, faced for the first place in Group C, offering a great and thrilling Beach Soccer game with great Beach Soccer actions, great Beach Soccer pace, and, of course, great Beach Soccer players. UAE, who find themselves in a great moment as they have proved not only during these first matches of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011 – Asian Qualifier but as the Asian Beach Games Champions, kept the points to top the table and get into the quarterfinals in a privileged position.

UAE took the most of their chances to build a comfortable advantage of 3-0 by the end of second period. Karim’s, Ahmed’s and Rami’s missiles, together with great saves by Abbas were the best weapons for Mendes’ side, who ended up making things impossible for Bahrain in the third period. This time, the Bahraini had not their best day, and although earning a place for the quarterfinals as the second team in group C they saw again how the UAE clinched the victory. Despite Hasan’s attempt could have meant something for Guga’s lads, Adel immediately retook the three goal gap in the scoreboard definitely crushing any chance for them.

Goals : 1-0 : A. Karim, min. 4 (1); 2-0 : Ahmed, min. 1 (2); 3-0: Rami, min. 12 (2); 3-1: Hasan, min. 9 (3); 4-1: Adel. Min. 10 (3)

Iran takes first place after magic game

Wonderful beach soccer was witnessed in the match to decide the first place of group B. Iran and Japan fought as much as they could to keep the highest place in their table, knowing it can be a decisive fact regarding quarterfinals, and ended up offering an unforgettable spectacle with the best closing. The perfect ending of such a leveled match, in which up to three goals were scored in extra time, could be nothing else than a breathtaking hit at the last second of the game, with Iran as the price-takers.

Japan were the first ones to step ahead in the score, thanks to Yamauchi’s move, but Ahmeadzadeh and Naderi’s double turned it around for the 3-1 by mid second period. The remaining 5 minutes were enough, though, for spirited Japanese to neutralize this advantage by the Iranian, with captain Take equalizing his opponent homologue with two hits. Although there were until 12 minutes left to be played in this thrilling game, the score did not move again and the match was sent into the extra time.

These just three minutes can be highlighted as one of the most prolific of the Beach Soccer history. Not only one or two goals were scored, but three. Iran achieved the first of them, but Japan managed a new equalizer, with Kunihiro raising the 4-4 almost two minutes before the final whistle. Everything pointed on the penalty shootout direction, but almost under the horn Mehdi made Iran head of group B.

Goals: 1-0: Yamauchi, min. 4 (1); 1-1: Ahmahzadeh, min. 9 (1); 1-2: Naderi, min. 12 (1); 1-3: Naderi, min. 6 (2); 2-3: Take, min. 8(2); 3-3: Take, min. 12(2); 3-4: Hassan, min. 1 (et); 4-4; Kunihiro, min. 2 (et); 4-5: Mehdi, min 3 (et)

Hani heads Oman on top of group

Hosts Oman did not miss the chance of topping group A in front of their own crowd, and they did it with a non-beach-soccer-style scoreboard: 1-0. The splendid header by Hani and a wonderful defensive structure have been enough for the Omani side to earn the most privileged position in the draw for Quarterfinals.

Talib’s side felt strong today, and although the slight advantage on the score, they kept believing in attack as the best of all defenses, what gave the Chinese goalkeepers the chance for amazing saves. Salim, on the other end, had also much a say to ban China the access to an equalizer that would give way for them to fight for Group A’s highest position. The clean sheets for the Omani goalkeeper at the final horn confirmed it was not to happen.

Goals: 1-0: Hani, min. 2 (1);