UAE Beach Soccer national team (AFP)

MARSEILLE: Asian champions UAE and runners-up Japan suffered crushing defeats in the ongoing FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup on Sunday.

Argentina thrashed the UAE 5-2 while Brazil made shortwork of Japan 8-1, a day after Asia’s third representatives Iran had lost narrowly to hosts France.

The UAE fell behind to a Santiago Hilaire goal but managed to claw back and restore parity through Rami Al Mesaabi. From then on, it was one-way traffic with the South Americans dominating. Cesar Leguizamon and Federico Hiliaire scored two goals each for the Argentines while only Ibrahim Al Balooshi could add to the Gulf side’s tally.

The defeat has left the UAE needing a win against Russia, who drubbed Cameroon 4-0 yesterday, in their final group game tomorrow to advance to the knockout stage.

For the hapless Japanese, only Shinji Makino’s goal in the second period prevented a complete washout. Junior Negao scored two goals for the Brazilians followed by individual contributions from Buru, Betinho, Benjamin, Bruno and Daniel. Katsuhiro Yoshi scored an own goal to compound the agony for the losers who play Spain in their final match on Tuesday.