Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Papeete: A gallant fightback from the UAE was not enough for the two-time Asian champions avoid defeat in their opening match of the 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup as the Gulf side went down 3-2 to tournament hosts Tahiti.
Buoyed by a vociferous home crowd Tahiti took a 5th minute lead through pivot Raimoana Bennett before Teva Zaveroni doubled their advantage with a spectacular long-range effort four minutes later.
Raimana Li Fung Kuee continued his fine form when he followed up the hat-trick he scored in Tahiti’s friendly win over Australia made it 3-0 in the 14th minute as the hosts took complete control of the game.
Hasan Al Hammadi scrambled home the UAE’s first goal of the 2013 tournament seconds shy of the 20 minute mark before Haitham Al Kaabi further reduced the deficit barely two minutes later but the hosts held on for the remainder of the match to deny the Asians at least a point.
Photo: AFP