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Last league-stage day to pass sentence on who access semifinals in FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup – Asia Qualifier Qatar
Australia edges Qatar on penalties
Qatar suffered heartbreak after falling short in a penalty shootout to Australia, following a tense match that ended 3-3 after extra time.
Qatar went into the game without Ibrahim Al Romaihi, who was shown a red card during Tuesday?s 7-3 loss to Afghanistan. Yet, despite this setback, the hosts began in determined fashion, opening the scoring through captain Jafal Rashid.
But the lead proved short-lived as Australia scoring two in quick succession, prompting an immediate response from Qatar captain Rashid, his second of the night.
The contest developed into a battle of nerves, with both teams aware that defeat could ruin their chances of progress to the semi-finals. As Australia pressed, Qatar?s goalkeeper Jamal Abu Hadod made two outstanding saves in quick succession to keep the scores level, as the second period drew to a close.
Midway through the third segment, Zdrilic missed a perfect opportunity to take the lead for Australia, and it proved a costly mistake when Jafal Ibrahim fired Qatar ahead following a pass from Abdullah Ishaq.
But the lead was brief, as Crevani responded for the Beach Socceroos within seconds to bring the game level.
The score remained 3-3 at the end of regular play, with neither team able to break the stalemate during extra time.
Finally, in a nerve-jangling penalty shoot-out, Australia edged past Qatar 4-3.
Penalties:
(4) – (3)
Australia – Nikas – In
Qatar – Rashad Al Kaabi – In
Australia – Zdrilic – In
Qatar – Ahmad Al Nuaimi – In
Australia – Crevani – In
Qatar – Jafal Ibrahim – In
Australia – Lastella – In
Qatar – Abdullah Al-Buainain Out
Triple hat tricks set up China Iran Decider
The stage is set for a winner takes all contest tomorrow after China joined Iran at the top of Group D following an 11-1 mauling of Philippines.
The Chinese side dominated from start to finish, building a convincing lead in the game’s first period, with Liu?s opener setting the scene for a quick-fire hat trick by Wan before the first horn sounded.
Following the exploits of Wan, it was the turn of Han to notch three goals, pushing the score to 7-0. Yao added an eighth before Philippines’ sole consolation arrived in brilliant fashion, courtesy of Gener’s superb overhead kick, a strike that is s certain contender for goal of the tournament.
In the concluding stage, Liu joined the hat trick elite with two more goals that widened the gap to 10-1, before Yao concluded the rout with a powerful header.
Tomorrow’s China – Iran duel will determine which of the sides advances to the semi-finals. It kicks off at 7pm at Katara, and is sure to provide one of the highlights on a dramatic final day of group games.
Goals: 1-0: Liu, min. 10 (1); 2-0: Wan, min. (1); 3-0 : Wan, min. 3 (1); 4-0: Wan, min. 0 (1); 5-0: Han, min. 11 (2); 6-0: Han, min. 7 (2) 7-0: Han, min. 5 (2); 8-0: Yao, min. 4 (2); 8-1: Gener, min. 3 (2); 9-1: Liu, min. 10 (3); 10-1: Liu, min. 6 (3); 11-1: Yao, min. 0 (3)
Japan scrape past Lebanon to top Group B
In one of the most entertaining matches of the tournament so far, Japanese and Lebanese fans came out in full force to Doha?s Katara Beach to witness an eleven-goal thriller.
After yesterday?s convincing win over Thailand, pre-tournament favourites Japan laboured to a 6-5 victory over Lebanon in Wednesday?s second Group B match.
?The Nippon? took an early two-goal lead and, after adding a third, looked to be in cruise control as the teams headed into the break. It took almost sixteen minutes for Lebanon to pull one back, thanks to a spectacular goal from beyond the halfway line by defender H. Al Saleh.
Lebanon then further narrowed the margin to 3-2, before Japan?s Makino put a temporary halt to their opponent?s revival, with less than three minutes remaining in the second period. Lebanese keeper M. Choker briefly prevented Japan from adding a fourth, with a crucial stop direct from a set piece, before his teammates? resistance crumbled thanks to a quick-fire Japanese double that made the score 5-2.
However, just as it looked like Japan had extinguished the Lebanese fire, the Mediterranean side hit back with two strikes in the first minute of the third period, reducing Japan?s lead back to one. But any hopes of restoring parity were ended 10 minutes later, when Japan?s Ozu struck a beautiful goal on the half volley with just two minutes remaining.
There was still time for Lebanon to add a fifth, but Japan held out to secure a crucial victory.
Goals: 1-0: Yamauchi, min. 5 (1); 2-0: Makino, min. 4 (1); 3-0: Take, min.1 (1); 3-1: H. Al Saleh, min. 8 (2); 3-2: M. Halawi, min. 4 (2); 4-2: Makino, min. 2 (2); 5-2: Oda, min. 1 (2); 5-3: M. Matar, min. 11 (3); 5-4: M. Halawi, min. 11 (3); 6-4: Ozu, min. 2 (3); 6-5: M. Merhi, min. 1 (3)
Saudi Arabia hold-off Uzbekistan?s late assault to claim first victory
Saudi Arabia put yesterday?s loss to the United Arab Emirates behind them in a close-fought, hugely entertaining contest against Uzbekistan in today?s second Group C match.
A win for the Saudis was vital if they were to retain any hope of reaching the semis, and they got off to the perfect start, establishing a two-goal lead before the Uzbeks finally got on the scoreboard late in the second period. The Saudis responded with a cracking goal from Alamdudi, before seeing two shots cannon off the cross bar in quick succession.
The Uzbeks managed to break down Saudis defense towards the end of the second period thanks to a sweeping strike from Irismetov, but the Saudis quickly restored their advantage, adding a fourth before the break to bring the score to 4-2.
A dramatic third period saw the Uzbeks and Saudis register three goals apiece to bring the match to 7-5 with just a few minutes remaining. And, as Uzbekistan piled on the pressure, it looked as if Saudi Arabia’s lead was about to crumble until Sami, the Saudi captain, settled matters in the dying seconds.
Goals: 0-1: Albory, Min. 9 (1); 0-2: Mohammad, Min. 4 (1); 1-2: Ashuroz, Min. 2 (1); 1-3: Alamdudi, Min. 9 (2); 2-3, Irismetov, Min. 2 (2); 2-4: Amin, Min. 1 (2); 2-5: Albory, Min. 11 (3); 3-5: Yunusov, Min. 11 (3); 3-6 Wleed, Min. 9 (3); 4-6: Yunusov, Min. 9 (3); 4-7: Albory, Min. 6 (3); 5-7 Azizov, Min. 5 (3); 6-7, Irismetov Min. 1 (3); 6-8 Sami, Min. 1 (3)
UAE within striking distance of semis
In a convincing performance, the United Arab Emirates beat Palestine 5-2 to reach the top of Group C. The victory puts them in pole position to reach the semi finals of the competition, where they would compete for one of the three places on offer for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2013 in Tahiti.
Ali Karim swept the Emiratis ahead in the very first minute of the game, and the UAE never looked back.
Despite Atiya cutting the UAE?s lead in half after Kamal had scored for the Emiratis, the experienced side maintained their advantage to achieve their second victory of the tournament.
After the first break, Jamal, Ali Karim and Rami widened the UAE?s lead to four goals, with Palestine?s final goal proving too little too late.
Having already accumulated a maximum six points from their first two games, the UAE are now just one step away from the semis.
Goals: 1-0: Ali Karim, min. 11 (1); 2-0: Kamal, min. 2 (1); 2-1: Atiya, min. 0 (1); 3-1: Jamal, min. 6 (2); 4-1: Ali Karim, min. 9 (3); 5-1: Rami, min. 6 (3); 5-2: Wadi, min. 2 (3);
Oman sweep past Afghanistan
The Omanis swept past the Afghans 7-0 in a victory that puts them level with Afghanistan on points in Group A.
Oman were keen to bounce back from yesterday?s 6-4 loss to Australia in their opening match of the qualifiers, and demonstrate the kind of skills that propelled them to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in 2011.
They made the perfect start with two strikes in the first half courtesy of K. Oraimi and Khalid.
Oman then built on this momentum, scoring another five unanswered goals in the second half to knock out the Afghan newcomers, whose fans maintained a festive atmosphere throughout despite the defeat.
The result leaves Group A wide open, pending Qatar’s match against Australia later this evening.
Goals: 1-0: Oraimi, min. 3 (1); 2-0: Khalid, min. 3 (1); 3-0: Hani, min. 11 (2); 4-0: Is?haq, min. 8 (2); 5-0: Jalal, min. 6 (2); 6-0: Oraimi, min. 3 (2); 7-0: Mohammed, min. 2 (2)
Misfiring Iraq lose again; Iran closer to semis
Regional rivals Iran and Iraq squared off in the second match on Wednesday. The Persians keep all possibilities to earn their spot in the semifinals of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2013 – Asian Qualifiers, defeating Iraq 10-3.
It was Iran who began to build momentum in the first period with a shot rattling of the post midway through the period. Minutes later, Iran tested Iraq?s goal, forcing the Iraqi keeper to save a close-range shot.
It was only a matter of time before Iran scored, and with five minutes left, Iranian forward F. Boulokbashi drilled a shot past Iraq?s Ali A.
Tension began to heat up late in first period with Iran?s M. Mokhtari being shown yellow. Shortly thereafter Mokhtari scored a punishing bicycle kick.
After the break, Iran made it 3-0 early in the second period, courtesy of M. Mesigar?s free kick.
The Persian machine continued to rumble with two successive goals off the toes of Iranian defender A. Naderi.
Iraq then managed to pull one back to cut Iran?s lead to four goals.
Mokhtari later scored a second bicycle kick to restore Iran?s five goal lead.
Iraq narrowed the lead to four once more minutes into the third period.
With the result all but settled, Iran and Iraq both scored in quick succession, before the Persians added another three to close off the routing.
Goals: 1-0: Ali Mm min. 5 (1); 2-0: Mokhtari, min. 1 (1); 3-0: Mesigar, min. 11 (2); 4-0: Naderi, min. 8 (2); 5-0: Naderi, min. 6 (2); 5-1: Abdullah, min. 6 (2); 6-1: Mokhtari, min. 4 (2); 6-2: Abdullah, min. 9 (3); 7-2: Morshedi, min. 6 (3); 7-3: Hussein, min. 6 (3); 8-3: Mesigar, min. 3 (3); 9-3: Hassani, min. 1 (3); 10-3: Mesigar, min. 1 (3)
Sadeq earns first points for Bahrain from the penalty spot
Bahrain notched their first victory today after edging Thailand in a dramatic penalty shootout following a low-scoring game.
Bahrain’s early opener from Yaqoob suggested that the crowd was about to witness another high-scoring contest, but the match developed into a cagey affair, with chances few and far between before Poymee headed the Thais level with just one second to spare at the end of the second period.
The game’s third segment proved tense. With both teams aware that a loss would ensure an early exit from the tournament, cautious tactics were adopted, and the clock ran down with the deadlock preserved. The extra time period could not separate the sides either, so victory came down to a sudden death shootout.
The Thais were first up, with Nanan blasting his effort wide, leaving Bahrain’s Sadeq to prove he could cope with the pressure by confidently firing his kick home. Yet, despite their last gasp victory, progress to the next stage is by no means assured for the Bahrainis. With only the group winners moving into the semi finals, Bahrain must face tournament favourites Japan in their final group game.
Goals: 1-0: Yaqoob, min. 11 (1); 1-1: Poymee, min. 0 (2)
Penalty kick shootout: Nanan, out; Sadeq, in;
FIFA BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP 2013 ? ASIA QUALIFIER QATAR
Results:
Wed 23.01.13
14:00 ? Bahrain 1(1)-1(0) Thailand
14:00 ? Iran 10-3 Iraq (pitch 2)
15.15 ? UAE 5-2 Palestine
15.15 ? Oman 7-0 Afghanistan (pitch 2)
16:30 ? Uzbekistan 6-8 Saudi Arabia
17:45 ? Japan vs Lebanon
19:00 ? China vs Philippines
20:15 ? Qatar vs Australia
Matches for tomorrow
Thu 24.01.13
14:00 ? Lebanon vs Thailand
14:00 ? Iran vs Philippines (pitch 2)
15.15 ? Palestine vs Saudi Arabia
15.15 ? UAE vs Uzbekistan (pitch 2)
16:30 ? Australia vs Afghanistan
17:45 ? Japan vs Bahrain
19:00 ? Iran vs China
20:15 ? Qatar vs Oman
