Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Terengganu: The United Arab Emirates have become the first side to reach the AFC Beach Soccer Championship Malaysia 2017 semi-finals after beating Japan 5-4 in Group C in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia on Wednesday.
The game started with both sides strongly looking for chances until a clear one came for Japan but Takasuke Goto missed his free-kick on five minutes before Brazilian-born Ozu Moreira scored Japan’s opener a minute later.
Yuki Nakahara then came close to Japan’s second but his shot went high before the buzzer sounded off.
Nakahara then only had UAE keeper Humaid Jamal to beat but again missed as his strike went high in the second period but the Japanese finally doubled their advantage thanks to Goto three minutes later.
UAE keeper Mohamed Abdulla then fired a long-range shot but his Japanese counterpart Shingo Terukina duly saved until finally the Emiratis opened their account through Ali Karim.
The UAE’s moment’s came when Hasham Al Muntaser converted his penalty and his side’s equaliser after he was fouled in the area just after the second period ended.
The Emiratis renewed their intentions at the restart and it was Ali Mohammad this time who scored and took over the lead but then the Japanese equalised through a Goto penalty, his second in the match, to continue the game’s roller-coaster nature.
The UAE again led as Haitham Mohamed got on the score-sheet this time as he impressively fired from distance into Japan’s goal with five minutes remaining.
The UAE then extended their lead as Ahmed Salem’s tap-in went through now-keeper Ozu’s legs but Japan immediately cut the deficit thanks to Takaaki Oba but it was too little too late for Japan who will now wait to see if they can qualify for the semi-finals as the best second-placed team.
The top three finishers at the AFC Beach Soccer Championship will represent Asia at the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in Nassau, Bahamas from April 27 to May 7.
Photo: AFC