Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Terengganu: Japan defeated Lebanon 6-3 on Saturday to claim third place at the AFC Beach Soccer Championship Malaysia 2017 and book the last Asian ticket to the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in the Bahamas.
With plenty to play for, it was Japan who broke the deadlock when Takasuke Goto opened the scoring from close-range in the second minute.
Tomoyuki Iino came closer to doubling his side's advantage shortly after, only for Lebanon to then fight back courtesy of skipper Mohamad Merhi’s decent effort which goalkeeper Shingo Terukina did well to save.
With Japan slowly increasing the pressure, Takaaki Oba's acrobatic bicycle kick thumped against the woodwork, before his side's efforts eventually paid off when Oba’s pinpoint pass found Shotaro Haraguchi who fired home eight seconds before the end of the second period to give Mendes Marcelo’s charges a slender lead.
Merhi came close to reducing the deficit with a firm header that struck a post moments later, ahead of Lebanon finally opening their account thanks to a Haitham Fattal strike that squeezed past Japanese custodian Terukina Shingo.
However, Japan dug deep and duly extended their lead once again through yet another Goto goal - his eighth of the tournament.
The third period began positively for Lebanon with Merhi rifling home a free-kick from distance to bring his side back into contention. But Japan responded in fine style as Goto notched his third of the game with a simple tap-in.
The rollercoaster continued as Fattal notched his second goal of the match, only to see Japan then round off a memorable campaign, and book their ticket to the Bahamas, with further strikes from Oba and the impressive Goto.
Photo: AFC