Group C: IR Iran 12-2 Indonesia

Fri, 21 Mar, 2025

Group C: IR Iran 12-2 Indonesia

Pattaya: Islamic Republic of Iran kicked off their AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup™ Thailand 2025 campaign with an emphatic 12-2 victory over Indonesia in Group C at the Jomtien Beach Arena on Friday.

The win gives the three-time champions an early boost in their title defence and they next take on Afghanistan on Sunday, while Indonesia will aim to bounce back against the United Arab Emirates.

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Group C: UAE 7-1 Afghanistan

Fri, 21 Mar, 2025

Group C: UAE 7-1 Afghanistan

Pattaya: United Arab Emirates displayed total control as they began their AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup™ Thailand 2025 Group C campaign with a 7-1 win over Afghanistan on Friday.

The win meant former champions UAE ended the day in second spot with Islamic Republic of Iran leading the group following their 12-2 win against Indonesia in the earlier match.

Group D: Bahrain 4-3 Malaysia

Sat, 22 Mar, 2025

Group D: Bahrain 4-3 Malaysia

Pattaya: Bahrain were forced to dig deep before edging Malaysia 4-3 in their AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup™ Thailand 2025 Group D tie on Friday.

Isa Ghaleb struck the decisive goal with seconds to spare as Bahrain joined Oman on three points in the group.

Group D: Oman 7-1 Vietnam

Fri, 21 Mar, 2025

Group D: Oman 7-1 Vietnam

Pattaya: Former champions Oman defeated Vietnam 7-1 in their opening AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup™ Thailand 2025 Group D match on Friday. 

Oman will now look to maintain their winning momentum when they face Malaysia next, while Vietnam will aim to bounce back against Bahrain on Sunday.

Thailand wary of Lebanon challenge, India aim to bounce back

Fri, 21 Mar, 2025

Thailand wary of Lebanon challenge, India aim to bounce back

Pattaya: Rattaphong Nadee admitted that nerves got the better of Thailand after they shook off a slow start to defeat India 3-0 in their opening AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup™ Thailand 2025 Group A match on Thursday.

Rattaphong, who confirmed the victory with a spectacular goal, acknowledged that the team needed time to settle into the game.

El Khatib wants Lebanon to learn from opening lesson, Alsabea promises Kuwait rebound

Fri, 21 Mar, 2025

El Khatib wants Lebanon to learn from opening lesson, Alsabea promises Kuwait rebound

Pattaya: The hard-fought 5-4 win against Kuwait in their opening AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup™ Thailand 2025 Group A match on Thursday served as a reminder for Ahmed El Khatib that improvements are needed for Lebanon.

El Khatib scored twice in a topsy-turvy match with both teams having spent time being ahead before Lebanon emerged victorious with the defender eyeing an improved showing when they meet Thailand on Saturday.

Saudi Arabia’s Sufiani revels in opening win, China PR’s Yisi eyes comeback

Fri, 21 Mar, 2025

Saudi Arabia’s Sufiani revels in opening win, China PR’s Yisi eyes comeback

Pattaya: Saudi Arabia’s Rabye Sufyani did not hide his delight after the West Asians claimed a 5-3 win against China PR in their opening AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup™ Thailand 2025 Group B match on Thursday.

The seniormost member of the squad, the 38-year-old hailed the resilience of his teammates in the face of a challenging match and attributed the success to their razor-sharp focus on wanting to emerge victorious.

Tabata concerned with Japan’s sluggish start, Iraq’s Hashem Pour motivated by performance

Fri, 21 Mar, 2025

Tabata concerned with Japan’s sluggish start, Iraq’s Hashem Pour motivated by performance

Pattaya: Head coach Teruki Tabata was left puzzled by Japan’s slow start to the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup™ Thailand 2025 after his side slogged to a 4-3 win against Iraq on Thursday.

Conceding that his players were not at their best at both ends of the sand, Tabata will be targeting a fresher look when Japan take on Saudi Arabia - who beat China PR 5-3 in the other Group A match - on Saturday.

Garcia, Afif demand more from Qatar

Fri, 21 Mar, 2025

Garcia, Afif demand more from Qatar

Doha: Qatar reignited their FIFA World Cup dreams with a 5-1 win against DPR Korea in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 match on Thursday with head coach Luis Garcia calling for more of the same in their upcoming matches.

The Spaniard was happy to see his players showing their quality at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium but stressed that the challenge is being able to replicate the performance on a more consistent basis.

First half super show leaves Jordan’s Sellami smiling

Fri, 21 Mar, 2025

First half super show leaves Jordan’s Sellami smiling

Amman: Jordan’s incredible first half showing gave head coach Jamal Sellami plenty to smile about after his team secured a 3-1 win against Palestine in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 tie on Thursday.

Led by the impressive Mousa Al Tamari who scored once and supplied two assists, Jordan clinched the third win of their campaign to move up to 12 points and go above Iraq into one of the two direct FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification spots.

Inclement weather at Amman International Stadium meant difficult conditions for both players and fans alike but Jordan were able to overcome the circumstances with aplomb much to the delight of the Moroccan. 

Casas rues Iraq’s costly mistakes

Fri, 21 Mar, 2025

Casas rues Iraq’s costly mistakes

Basra: Head coach Jesus Casas was left counting the cost of defensive errors after his Iraq side salvaged a 2-2 draw with Kuwait in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group B clash on Thursday.

Two stoppage time goals from Akam Hashim and Ibrahim Bayesh prevented Kuwait from earning their first win of the campaign but it came at a cost with Iraq dropping out of automatic FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification spot as Jordan overtook them with a superior goal difference.

Yousef Al Sulaiman had struck either side of the break to give Kuwait a lead they could ultimately not hold on to. 

Ghalenoei applauds IR Iran’s spirit

Fri, 21 Mar, 2025

Ghalenoei applauds IR Iran’s spirit

Tehran: Islamic Republic of Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei hailed his players’ spirit after their 2-0 victory over the United Arab Emirates in the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 on Thursday.

Ghalenoei reserved special praise for goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand for keeping Iran in the game early on as they remained at the top of Group A and moved within a point of securing a fourth consecutive FIFA World Cup appearance.

Victory is all that matters for Uzbekistan’s Kapadze

Fri, 21 Mar, 2025

Victory is all that matters for Uzbekistan’s Kapadze

Tashkent: Despite finding it difficult to breach a resolute Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan inched closer to realising their FIFA World Cup dreams with head coach Timur Kapadze not unduly worried about his misfiring frontline in Thursday's AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group A tie.

Despite playing against 10 men and registering 26 attempts, nine of which were on target, Uzbekistan only managed a 1-0 win but Kapadze chose to look at the bigger picture as the win kept his side firmly entrenched in second place and their fate very much in their own hands. 

Kamada hails teammates as Japan confirm ticket in style

Fri, 21 Mar, 2025

Kamada hails teammates as Japan confirm ticket in style

Saitama: Daichi Kamada paid tribute to his teammates after Japan became the first team to confirm their FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket with a 2-0 win over Bahrain at the Saitama Stadium 2002 on Thursday.

The victory took Japan to 19 points from seven matches, assuring them of a top two finish irrespective of what happens in the remaining games in Group C of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26.