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MY BEACH SOCCER 
Defending Champions got all they could handle in their exciting opening match
source: fifa.com (http://www.fifa.com/beachsoccerworldcup
World champions Russia were pushed all the way by Japan in their FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Tahiti 2013 opener before eventually prevailing 4-1 with the help of some late goals.
Japan held the Ravenna 2011 kings scoreless in the first third; the first goalless period of the tournament.
It appeared that normal service had resumed after Dmitrii Shishin scored two classy goals from fairly close range within a 35-second period early in the middle period.
However, Japan created several chances but Russia proved tactically strong and well organised, and made good use of their substitutes.
With goalscoring opportunities relatively scarce, Japan deservedly pulled a goal back early in the third period with Teruki Tabatan tucking away a rebound off the post.
The match hung in the balance for much of the third, only for Russia to pull clear near the end of the match.
Much like the first period, two goals within a minute proved decisive with Yury Krasheninnikov, and then Anatoliy Peremitin, scoring with classy strikes.
