Japan get the silver and UAE bag the bronze in the thrilling last day of the Asian Beach Games Phuket 2014
Just one goal made the difference between Gold and Silver in the final of the Asian Beach Games Phuket 2014. Abdollahi’s free kick missile with just three minutes to go passed sentence in a terribly balanced and emotional final, between the two most awarded sides of the Asian continent lately, and sealed the gold for Iran for the second consecutive time.
The match began with the defending champions hitting twice, with Mozdeh and Naderi making the score 0-2 midway half the opening frame. Ozu pulled one back before the end of the first period, and set the samurai ready for the assault during the second. Goto, in the second leg equalized the score, and Ozu again, in the first second of the last frame, pushed the Nippon ahead for the first time in the match.
If the Princes of Persia wanted to retain the throne, they would need an extra effort in front of Mende’s Japan, who were playing spiritedly and with a high intensity. Akbari, from the distance, and before it was too late, fired a volley home to equalize the game and it was to be all or nothing for both teams in the remaining minutes of the final. Chances happened at both ends of the pitch, but none was successful until Abdollahi, with a terrific free kick rocket, untied the score and gave his country the gold medal.
Goals: 0-1: Mozdeh, min. 6 (1); 0-2: Naderi, min. 3 (1); 1-2: Ozu, min. 2 (1); 2-2: Goto, min. 7 (2); Ozu, min. 11 (3); 3-3: Akbari, min. 8 (3); 3-4: Abdollahi, min. 3 (3).
UAE cruise to bronze
UAE became the bronze medalists in this Asian Beach Games Phuket 2014, after a brilliant beach soccer display over surprising Vietnam. A stout 0-3 run in the beginning of the game had things fairly clear from very early stages, and Vietnam never found a way to do real harm on the Emirati, who recover from their bitter memories of Haiyang 2012.
After the huge disappointment of seeing themselves out of the fight for gold due to the penalty kick shootout against Iran, the United Arab Emirates wanted to have things on the right track as soon as possible. Three goals in the opening frame had it done for Guga’s side, who would even hit once again before the Vietnamese could breath. Bui Tran, with two goals, tried to have his side stand up again in a much more balanced second period, but their reaction would not reach any further.
The end of the second period would also mean the end of the road for the Tuyen. After hitting back with Mohammadi’s 2-6, the Emirati would drop the curtain to the game exactly the same way they opened it, with two goals from the Salem brothers for the final 2-8, to seal their third Asian Beach Soccer medal, following the silver in Bali 2008 and the gold in Muscat 2010.
Goals: 0-1: Ahmed Salem, min. 10 (1); 0-2: Waled Salem, min. 8 (1); 0-3: Alhammadi, min. 3 (1); 0-4: Ahmed Salem, min. 11 (2); 1-4: Bui Tran, min. 5 (2); 1-5: Humaid, min. 11 (3); 2-5: Bui Tran, min. 9 (3); 2-6: Mohammadi, min. 7 (3); 2-7: Ahmed Salem, min. 4 (3)
6-0 run sends Oman 5th
Oman bettered their records in the last Asian Beach Games after running past Uzbekistan in the match for the 5th place. Despite the Uzbeks hit first, and the game was terribly balanced during the first period, the Red Warriors definitely took off in the second and third legs to secure the win, with a brilliant performance by Al Oraimi and Al Balushi, with three goals each. Uzbekistan found themselves unable to counteract the Omani momentum, and were faced to a heavy defeat that has them 6th in the competition. Notwithstanding, this Asian Beach Games Phuket 2014 mean a huge step forward for the White Wolves, who have been contesting and making thins very difficult for some of the best teams in the continent, what proves they are ready to take on future challenges.
Goals: 0-1: Mirakhmedov, min. 9 (1); 1-1: Al Balushi, min. 5 (1); 1-2: Mirakhmedov, min. 2 (1); 2-2: Yahya, min. 1 (1); 3-2: Al Oraimi, min. 6 (2); 4-2: Al Balushi, min. 1 (2); 5-2: Al Balushi, min. 5 (3); 6-2: Al Sauti, min. 2 (3); 7-2: Al Oraimi, min. 0 (3); 8-2: Yaquob, min. 0 (3)
China’s reaction falls one goal short. Thailand clinch 7th!
The Thailand Beach Soccer National Team closed this Asian Beach Games they are hosting in Phuket with a victory. One which will let them finish the tournament in the seventh position, thanks to a defensive display that got them containing China’s attempts. After building a consistent advantage during the first break, the Thai seemed to have the game truly under control. After nothing happened in the middle period, China woke up in the last frame, and tried to bounce back, but they were playing against two opponents at the same time: Thailand, with a very intense beach soccer, and the watch, which was unstoppably ticking down. Ongaro’s lads could only cut the distance, but had no time to find he equalizer.
Goals: 1-0: Tapinna, min. 9 (1); 2-0: Khongkaew, min. 5 (1); 3-0: Tapinna, min. 4 (1); 1-3: Chen, min. 6 (3); 2-3: Qiu, min. 1 (3)
ASIAN BEACH GAMES PHUKET 2014
Results today:
Friday, 21st of November, 2014
11:00 – China 2-3 Thailand – Match for the 7th place
12:15 – Oman 8-2 Uzbekistan – Match for 5th place
13:30 – Vietnam 2-8 UAE – Match for the 3rd place
14:45 – Japan 3-4 Iran – FINAL
Final standings:
Gold medal: Iran
Silver Medal: Japan
Bronze medal: UAE
4th place: Vietnam
5th place: Oman
6th place: Uzbekistan
7th place: Thailand
8th place: China
