UAE clinch last FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2013 berth at stake in Doha after edging Australia in a breathtaking showdown
Mesigar seals sudden death final victory in Katara classic
Iran completed a stunning comeback at Doha?s Katara stadium on Saturday night, coming back from 6-3 down to beat reigning Asian champions Japan on penalties.
Both finalists were already assured of a place in June?s World Cup finals in Tahiti, so there was a celebratory atmosphere in the packed stands. And the fans were treated to a memorable contest, providing a thrilling end to a superb tournament.
The match offered a fascinating contrast in styles, pitting Iran?s possession-based game against Japan?s high-octane power plays. And The Nippon?s approach yielded instant dividends, with Ozu scoring straight from the kick off, hammering a volley into the top left corner of the Iranian net.
Two minutes in, Iranian keeper Hosseinilargani tested his opposite number Terukina, forcing a save from long range. Indeed, in the early stages, Japan were generally restricting their opponents to long range efforts until, with five minutes gone, the Japanese keeper was caught out, Abdollahi firing a low effort home with Terukina stranded yards from his goal.
Rejuvenated by their equalizer, the Persians concentrated on holding onto the ball, hemming back their opponents in their own half.
But, with nine minutes gone, Abdollahi received a yellow card a minute later for blocking off Ozu. The tall number 10 made him pay in majestic style, smashing the free kick home to put the Japanese 2-1 up.
With a minute left in the first period, Japan gained a free kick for handball in the middle of the pitch. Ozu took a huge run up and powered home in emphatic style to complete his hat trick and put Japan 3-1 up going into the first break.
Two minutes into the second period Iran almost reduced the deficit, Ahmadzadeh hitting the right post with a rising drive after cutting in from the left. But the Japanese soon extended their lead, Makino firing in a free kick from close range, which Hosseinilargani could not keep out, despite getting his hands to it.
With eight minutes remaining in the second period the Japanese conceded a handball in a central position. Morshedizadeh made no mistake, his deft chip offering the Iranians a way back into the game. And, soon after, the Iranian number 7 was instrumental in creating his side?s third, crossing from the left to reduce the deficit to the odd goal in seven.
As the clock ran down on the second segment, Toma won a free kick deep inside his own half from which there seemed little danger. But the Japanese number 8 smashed home an incredible pitch-length drive to make the score 5-3.
Early in the third period Iran?s keeper produced a flying save to his right, typifying his team?s determined attitude. But their resolve was further tested five minutes in, when Oda?s scuffed shot looped over the keeper and in, making the score 6-3 to Japan.
With six minutes left the Iranians were handed a lifeline with the award of a penalty. Mokhtari held his nerve to side-foot inside the right hand post, setting up a tense finale. Direct from the restart Ozu almost repeated his spectacular trick from the start of the game, but this time Hosseinilargani managed to divert his shot round the post.
And, seconds later, the Iranians were firmly back in the game, with Akbari delighting Iran?s noisy support by making the score 6-5. Japan appeared to be wobbling as the Persians fought hard for every ball, and Ahmadzadeh almost brought things level with two minutes remaining, his rising drive slamming against the post.
Into the final minute, and Iranian persistence paid off, with Mesigar breaking free on the right to find the back of the net, leveling the score at 6-6 and forcing extra time.
The momentum now lay firmly with Iran and, with 90 seconds remaining, Mokhtari almost scored with an overhead kick. But despite their extra period dominance, they could not force a winner, and sudden death penalties beckoned.
With the first nine penalties were successfully converted and the tension mounting, Takeshi stepped up for Japan. But Hosseinilargani was equal to his shot, becoming the hero by ensuring victory at the last to Iran.
Goals: 0-1: Ozu min. 11 (1); 1-1: Abdollahi min. 7 (1); 1-2: Ozu min. 3 (1); 1-3: Ozu min. 1 (1); 1-4: Makino min. 10 (2); 2-4: Morshedi min. 8 (2); 3-4: Mesigar min. 4 (2); 3-5: Toma min. 3 (2); 3-6: Oda min. XX (3); 4-6: Mokhtari min.5 (3); 5-6 Akbari min. 4 (3); 6-6: Mesigar min. 1 (3)
Penalties:
Morshedi (Iran) – In
Makino (Japan) – In
Naderi (Iran) – In
Ozu (Japan) – In
Mokhtari (Iran) – In
Yamauchi (Japan) – In
Ahmadzadeh (Iran) – In
Komaki (Japan) – In
Mesigar (Iran) – In
Take (Japan) ? Hosseini saves
UAE survive late drama to book World Cup Finals berth
The last ticket to Tahiti was at stake in Saturday?s third place playoff, with Australia and the UAE coming off narrow one-goal defeats to Japan and Iran respectively in the previous evening?s semi- finals.
On Australia?s National Day, a large and boisterous crowd turned out to support the Beach Socceroos. But they were quickly silenced, as Karim put the UAE ahead straight from the kick off, with just three seconds on the clock. And, Australia?s misery was compounded less than a minute later when Walid doubled the UAE?s lead.
Australia were without playmaker and former Aberdeen star Zdrilic, serving a one match suspension after being sent off in the dying seconds of Friday?s semi-final. In his absence Aussie captain Nikas, one of the three leading scorers of the tournament thus far with nine goals, took charge to resurrect his side?s hopes of reaching Tahiti. With seven minutes remaining in the first period, he threaded a long ball through to Matricciani who did not hesitate, making the score 2-1 heading into the first break.
The UAE were unfazed by the Aussie resurgence and, on return from the break, rifled a series of powerful efforts just wide of the goal, and forced Jaeger to make an impressive save minutes into the period. However, the Beach Socceroos were unlucky not too equalise just before the break, with no one able to capitalize as a loose ball bounced in front of the UAE?s goal.
The score remained 2-1 at the end of the second period.
As the third segment played out, the feisty Australians pushed on in search of a vital equalizer. And their persistence paid off when Matricciani doubled his and his side?s tally, seconds after forcing a corner, to level the scores. But the UAE would not lie down, and re-established their lead through Karim with five minutes remaining.
Australia piled on the pressure, but the Emiratis looked to have held out and, as the horn sounded, their substitutes rushed onto the sand to congratulate their teammates. There were people on the pitch. They thought it was all over. But, in fact, the scoreboard revealed that 0.4 seconds remained on the clock. The referee re-started the game, with Aussie goalkeeper Jaeger preparing for a last throw of the dice. But as his throw-in arced goalwards, the final horn was heard. And, controversially, the Aussies would later claim that it was still sounding as George Souris connected with the long throw, powering a header home.
The ?goal? prompted the extraordinary sight of both sides rejoicing, but Australian celebrations soon turned to remonstrations as the referee signaled that the goal would not stand. The late drama provided a lively talking point for the large crowd, mesmerised by a high-quality contest that ultimately saw the UAE sneak home 3-2.
After the match, UAE captain Qambar Mohammed credited the team?s rigorous preparations for their impressive tournament showing. “We played a good game tonight because we were well prepared and had great training camps and excellent facilities to work with,? he said. ?We would especially like to thank His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, for his support. For Tahiti 2013, we are excited to be the only Arab team qualifying from Asia, and are really looking forward to furthering our training.”
Goals: 1-0: Karim min. 11 (1); 2-0: Walid min. 11 (1); 2-1: Matricciani min. 7 (1); 2-2: Matricciani min. 9 (3); 3-2: Karim min. 5 (3)
Al Sinani sends Oman fifth
Oman extended their win streak to four matches with a convincing 3-6 victory over Palestine, who had upset China in Friday’s first playoff round.
Oman took the lead early in the game, thanks to Jalal Al Sinani, who drove a shot from centre field clear past the Palestinian defense.
Trying to fight back, Palestine hammered balls at Oman?s goalkeeper from all angles. But, striker Khalid Al Oraimi quickly put two more points up on the scoreboard for the Omanis in the first period?s closing minutes.
A kick from defender Khalid Al Rajhi, from the opposite end of the field, gave his team an impressive four-goal lead.
The Palestinians were finally able to grab one back through Sami Salem.
To stifle any chances of a Palestinian comeback, though, Al Sinani earned his second goal midway through the match to restore his team’s four-goal lead.
In the game?s closing minutes, Palestine scored two goals in the span of 30 seconds, but it was too little, too late for the Mediterranean side.
The game ended with Al Sinani?s third goal of the game, securing fifth place for Oman: Palestine 3 – Oman 6.
Goals: 0-1: Jalal Al Sinani, min. 9 (1); 0-2: Khalid Al Oraimi, min. 3 (1); 0-3: Khalid Al Oraimi, min. 2 (1); 0-4: Khalid Al Rajhi, min. 0 (1); 1-4: Sami Salem, min. 0 (1); 1-5: Jalal Al Sinani, min. 6 (2); 2-5: Mohammed Dahman, min. 2 (3); 3-5: Hamada Eshbair, min. 1 (3); 3-6: Jalal Al Sinani, min. 0 (3)
Goals galore as China seal 7th
China and Lebanon put on an entertaining spectacle in a battle for 7th place.
In a 15-goal thriller, the Chinese National Team prevailed over Lebanon 10-5.
Lebanon now leave the tournament with a bitter sweet taste in their mouths – knowing they could have done better.
Early in the group stages, Lebanon narrowly lost to Japan, who qualified for Tahiti on Friday, and have not recovered since then.
Following two successive defeats to Iran and Palestine, Ongaro’s China were also hoping to change their luck against Lebanon.
Moghaddam?s Lebanon walked into the game confidently, taking the lead twice in the first minutes, but China turned the score around before the first horn.
After the opening period, China then maintained a comfortable lead over the Mediterranean side for the rest of the match, responding to every Lebanese goal to finish 7th in the tournament.
Goals: 0-1: Matar, min. 9 (1); 1-1: Yilihanmu, min. 9 (1) ; 1-2 : Matar, min. 9 (1) ; 2-2 : Cai, min. 2 (1) ; 3-2 : Han, min. 1 (1) ; 4-2 : Liu, min. 0 (1) ; 4-3 : Merhi, min. 0 (1); 5-3: Wan, min. 11 (2); 6-3: Liu, min. 9 (2); 7-3: Wan, min. 2 (2); 7-4: Merhi, min. 1 (2); 8-4: Liu, min. 7 (3); 8-5: Hawila, min. 7 (3); 9-5: Chen, min. 4 (3); 10-5: Liu, min. 3 (3)
Isa shoots down Iraqi hopes
2006 Asian Champions Bahrain extended their winning streak to three matches with a 1-2 victory over Gulf rivals Iraq.
Ayoob’s early strike looked like it would be the match’s only goal, until Iraqi defender Hussain scored a late equalizer to bring the match level at 1-1 with one minute left in the last period.
Moments later, and with Bahrain facing their second extra-time match this tournament, Isa skipped a shot past the Iraqi keeper to give the Bahrainis the victory and ninth place overall.
Goals: 0-1: Ayoob min. 3 (1); 1-1: Hussain min. 1 (3); 1-2: Isa min. 1 (3)
Thailand stifles Uzbek rally
Uzbekistan’s hopes of finishing 13th were stifled by a resilient Thailand, who held on to a one-goal lead for their second victory of the tournament, having defeated hosts Qatar 5-2 on Friday.
Goals: 0-1: Nanan, min. 9 (1); 0-2: Poymee, min. 4 (1); 1-2: Azizov, min. 9 (2); 1-3: Madtoha, min. 1 (2); 2-3: Azizov, min. 7 (3); 2-4: Tapinna, min. 3 (3); 3-4: Ashurov, min. 2 (3)
Qatar recovered from a nightmare start to defeat the Philippines 3-8
The Philippines stormed to a two-goal lead early into the first period.
Ibrahim Al Romaihi managed to pull a goal back for the Annabi before the break.
After the start of the second period, Nenem?s Qatar responded with force, scoring six unanswered goals before the Philippine Dolphins were able to tack a goal on the scoreboard.
Abdullah Jassim then sealed a hat trick early in the third period. Ibrahim Al Romaihi finalized a brace to give Qatar their first victory with a 3-8 win.
Qatar finishes the tournament in 15th place, having scored sixteen goals.
Goals: 1-0: Gener min. 8 (1); 2-0: Arroyo min. 6 (1); 2-1: Ibrahim Al Romaihi min. 1 (1); 2-2: Abdullah Ishaq, ?Jassim? min. 11 (2); 2-3: Rashid Al Jassim min. 11 (2); 2-4: Abdullah Ishaq, ?Jassim? min. 8 (2); 2-5: Rashid Al Kaabi min. 8 (2); 2-6: Fahad Abdullah min. 1 (2); 3-6: Potschke min. 11 (3); 3-7: Abdullah Ishaq, ?Jassim? min. 9 (3); 3-8: Ibrahim Al Romaihi min. 5 (3)
FIFA BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP 2013 ? ASIA QUALIFIER QATAR
Results:
Sat 26.01.13
14:00 ? Iraq 1-2 Bahrain (Play-off for the 9th place)
14:00 ? Uzbekistan 3-4 Thailand (Play-off for the 13th place) ? pitch 2
15.15 ? Philippines 3-8 Qatar (Play-off for the 15th place)
15.15 ? China 10-5 Lebanon (Play-off for the 7th place) ? pitch 2
16:30 ? Palestine 3-6 Oman (Play-off for the 5th place)
17:45 ? UAE 3-2 AUSTRALIA (3rd/4th place)
19:00 ? FC BARCELONA 6-2 AC MILAN
20:15 ? IRAN 6(5)-6(4) JAPAN (FINAL)
Final standings
1st place ? IRAN*
Runner-up ? JAPAN*
3rd place ? UAE*
4th place ? AUSTRALIA
5th place ? OMAN
*Qualified for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Tahiti 2013
Individual awards
MVP ? Osmar Moreira (JPN)
Top Scorer ? Mesigar (IRN) ? 11 goals
Best Goalkeeper ? Jaeger (AUS)
