UAE-Uzbekistan, China-Japan, Oman-Vietnam and Thailand-Iran will determine the best four teams in this Asian Beach Games Phuket 2014
UAE earns head of group from the penalty kick spot
The fight between two of the kings of the Asian Beach Soccer was a terrifically balanced battle in which no one wanted to concede one single meter to its opponent. Both team knew each other very well, with Marcelo Mendes, now in with the Nippon, having coached the UAE for the last years, and Guga having perfectly studied the strengths and weaknesses of their opponent. Japan and UAE reckoned that a defeat today would make their way to the final harder, as they would be taking the winners of group C and B in an eventual path to the final, and they prioritized not losing the match today. Despite goal chances took place in both ends, the scoreboard remained untouched all match long, including the extra time, and the sentence was passed on the penalty kick shootout, where UAE proved better aimed.
The pace of the game came increasing as minutes went by, and, despite no goals were seen, fans enjoyed lots of goal chances, especially in the last two periods. Goalkeepers played a brilliant role today, denying all shots that menaced their nets, and the game was inevitably sent to the penalty kick shootout. Japan, with Ozu and Akaguma, could not beat Al Jasmi, whereas both Alhammadi and Daryaei sent their attempts home to seal the win, and the head of the group for UAE. Now, the Emirati will take on Uzbekistan in their quest for semifinals, whereas the Japanese will tackle China in their quarterfinals fixture.
Penalty kick shootout: Ozu, Al Jasmi saves; Alhammadi, in; Akaguma, out; Daryaei, in
Amazing comeback not enough for Bahrain
Bahrain brought on the most spectacular comeback of these Asian Beach Games, when bouncing back from 3-0 first, and 5-2, afterwards, to end up leveling the score, sending the game onto extra time, and finally earning the win from the penalty kick spot. The point seized, notwithstanding, is useless for the Bahraini, as they are left at the bottom of the table in group C, with no chance to advance to the quarterfinals stage.
China seemed to be cruising quite comfortably to their second victory in the tournament, with a 3-0 run in the first period. But, after the first break, Bahrain started showing their most combative face, and cut the distance off with two goals. The Chinese could eventually stop that reaction, and hit three more times to get a wide distance again. With just three minutes remaining, it seemed impossible that Bahrain could strike back, but the spirited Al Ahmar made it possible. Three goals in that last three minutes sent the game to extra time. An extra time win was already not enough for the Gulf side to stay alive in the competition, but they kept on fighting to earn their first win in the tournament, something they managed to do after an exciting penalty kick shootout.
Goals: 1-0: Han, min. 6 (1); 2-0: Wen, min. 4 (1); 3-0: Wen, min. 3 (1); 3-1: Ashoor, min. 8 (2); 3-2: Aldoseri, min. 4 (2); 4-2: Liu, min. 3 (2); 5-2: Sun, min. 10 (3); 5-3: Aldoseri, min. 3 (3); 5-4: Al Abdullah, min. 2 (3); 5-5: Al Mugahwi, min. 0 (3)
Penalty kick shootout: Wan, in; Al Mugahwi, in; Han, in; Al Ghawi, in; Liu, saved; Aldoseri, in.
Oman upset Iran to take head of the group
The last game of the day was no exception, and the regular time was not enough to appoint one winner. In the battle between Iran and Oman, the latter ended up bagging the points at stake at the additional 3-minute period, after regular time was over with 1-1 on the scoreboard. In that last leg, an almost unbelievable 0-4 run for the Omani determined the quarterfinals fixtures.
As minutes passed by, it seemed that Mozdeh’s lone effort for the Persian side could be enough, but Yahya equalized the score midway half last period, beginning an uncontestable momentum for Oman, in which they sealed an incredible win with four goals in the extra time. With this result, Oman, as winner of group B, will take on Vietnam in quarterfinals, while Iran will battle hosts Thailand for a place in semifinals.
Goals: 1-0: Mozdeh, min. 2 (1); 1-1: Yahya, min. 6 (3); 1-2: Jalal, min. 2 (et); 1-3: Yaqoub, min. 2 (et); 1-4: Yahya, min. 1 (et); 1-5: Yahya, min. 0 (et)
ASIAN BEACH GAMES PHUKET 2014
Results today:
Tuesday, 18th of November, 2014
12:15 – Japan 0(0)-0(2) UAE
13:30 – China 5(2)-5(3) Bahrain
14:45 – Iran 1-5 (aet) Oman
Matches for tomorrow
Wednesday, 19th of November – QUARTERFINALS
11:00 – UAE vs Uzbekistan
12:15 – China vs Japan
13:30 – Oman vs Vietnam
14:45 – Thailand vs Iran
