Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Papeete: Japan put themselves back in contention for a place in the knockout stage of the 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup with a clinical 3-1 victory over Paraguay in their second Group D match on Friday.
Japan, looking to bounce back from their 4-1 defeat to defending champions Russia in their tournament opener, went 1-0 up in the 2nd minute through Hirofumi Oda before Brazil-born Ozu Moreira – MVP at the Asian qualifiers – doubled Japan’s lead with a sweetly-struck long-range effort in 8th minute.
Teruki Tabata, who is playing in his fifth FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, made it 3-0 in the 14th minute with his second of the campaign following his strike against Russia, before Pedro Moran scored what proved to be a consolation for the South Americans in the 26th minute.
Photo: AFP